USU Launches New Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Center

Correction: An earlier version of this article listed an incorrect date for the DSAI kickoff event. The correct date is Jan. 14.

The Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Center is a new, collaborative organization at Utah State University that addresses emerging problems in data and AI.

The center is hosting an opening kickoff at 3 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Perry Pavilion. USU leadership will open the event and then Berton Earnshaw, an AI Founding Fellow at Recursion Pharmaceuticals and the scientific director of Valence Labs, will be the keynote speaker.

Kevin Moon, director of the DSAI Center and an associate professor of mathematics and statistics at USU, spoke recently about the creation of the center.

“Our goal is to foster collaboration across disciplines,” Moon said. “By creating a nexus for researchers and educators, we’re building a stronger data science and AI community at USU.”

The center was established to address a growing need for interdisciplinary connections.

“It’s often hard to identify researchers working in data science and AI across campus,” Moon said. “The DSAI Center bridges that gap, making it easier for faculty, students and external collaborators to connect and innovate.”

Four departments founded the center:

• Math and statistics.
• Electrical and computer engineering.
• Data analytics and information systems.
• Computer science.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences has also since joined the center.

Each involved department provides funding to the center, and each has a faculty member who sits on the steering committee to guide decision-making. The College of Science and the College of Engineering are also providing funding.

“There are people all across campus in different departments that are doing research or teaching in data science and AI-related areas,” Moon said. “We’re hoping that through the DSAI Center they can all feel connected to the broader data science and AI community at USU.”

Moving forward, the DSAI Center hopes to increase its outreach and host events targeted at finding solutions for data science and AI-related problems. Upcoming initiatives include regular research seminars and workshops where participants can discuss challenges and share innovative solutions.

“We’re building a community,” Moon said. “Our first step is bringing people together. Next we’ll create opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving.”

USU will be asking the Utah Legislature to fund physical space for the center during the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session. This renovation and building project was the only project approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education to pursue legislative funding. If approved, the new space will house and enhance the DSAI Center’s interdisciplinary work.

The January kickoff is the first main event for the center. Following the keynote presentation, there will be a reception and poster session showcasing data science and AI research at USU. The event is open to faculty, staff, students and the general public.

For more information, or to register for the opening kickoff, visit the DSAI Center website.