University of Memphis Making $1M Investment to Further Enhance Technology Innovation Ecosystem 

Announcement of xAI Setting Up Shop in Memphis Spurs New Initiative  

Thursday, June 6, 2024 — The University of Memphis is further boosting its academic and research capabilities in artificial intelligence with a million-dollar investment in alignment with community efforts to bring xAI to Memphis, President Bill Hardgrave announced today.  

The initiative will be led by Provost David Russomanno and Jasbir Dhaliwal, EVP Research & Innovation.  

“The arrival of xAI is a perfect fit with the technology innovation ecosystem of Memphis, which is centered around the University as a top-tier Carnegie R1 research institution,” said Hardgrave. “We have much to offer in terms of talent, workforce training and cutting-edge research.”  

For over three decades, the University of Memphis has led in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in key sectors—education, healthcare, transportation and many others. New efforts such as the Center for Electrified and Autonomous Transportation and Agile Freight Supply Chain (an NSF Industry-University Research Partnership) and the Learner Data Institute exist alongside established centers and individual faculty working across our campus to advance both the basic science of AI and applications for key sectors.  

The FedEx Institute of Technology, which maintains a large research cluster of faculty members working in AI, has spearheaded many of the collaborative innovations in this space, including: 

• 901 AI, which creates an intersection point for the Memphis professional community to engage in AI-based work. This public initiative is paired with the Data Science Research Cluster and a forthcoming AI Research Cluster that help channel city-wide engagement in the space with the research across the UofM campus.  
• The FedEx Institute-led, NSF-aligned Next Generation Supply Chain and Innovation Challenge, which has furthered this industry-aligned AI effort, with 50% of the funded projects focusing on AI/ML or big-data initiatives.  

Translational research is essential to the long-term growth of Memphis, and the resources announced today will ensure that specialized research aligns with regional industry priority, including the new xAI effort.  

“Artificial intelligence today is not a niche specialty area. It has broad-based application across a myriad of domains requiring a range of knowledge, abilities and skills,” said Russomanno. “We will offer a wide range of educational experiences across the University, including degree programs and stackable micro-credentials customized by context and topic, reflecting student and workforce needs. Going forward, we will provide opportunities for all our students to understand and apply AI.” 

The University of Memphis has one of the largest computer science programs in the State of Tennessee. In the past three fiscal years, enrollment in AI-aligned departments—including Management Information Systems and Electrical and Computer Engineering—has doubled, with a key portion of that growth coming from master’s level candidates.  

Future programs will use this strong foundation to incorporate AI into more academic disciplines, attracting more students. In addition, recent federal funding such as the NSF-funded CyberCorps program will help to connect students to high-paying jobs across the region. 

Through a combination of world-class research excellence, instructional capability and a focus on translational and applied innovation, the University of Memphis continues its strong record of AI leadership while growing into new areas with industry partners. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Jennifer Godwin 
Director of Media and Public Relations 
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu 
(O) 901.678.4822 (M) 501.529.7482