The U.S. National Science Foundation plans to fund innovative projects harnessing the potential of artificial Intelligence and aims to increase participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and equip researchers helping address the world’s most important challenges.
The NSF supports research projects in AI research spanning multiple disciplines. One such program is the NSF Research Traineeship program supporting AI research. These projects concentrate of various areas such as safe, secure AI software development that ensures a trustworthy AI-human interaction as well as AI-powered education. NSF helps drive innovation to adapt to complex global challenges.
The NSF has established 25 National AI Research Institutes which focus on key areas of AI development. Some areas that support NSF funding for AI-supported graduate STEM research are: trustworthy and ethical AI, human AI-interaction and collaboration, AI-augmented learning and advanced cybersecurity with AI.
The Innovations for Graduate Education (IGE) program is integral for AI and STEM education and research. The IGE program at the University of Arizona will transform the graduate program in applied mathematics (AM) by incorporating AI into the project goals. The need for a workforce adept at navigating the interface between traditional AM and AI is critical in response to national and global challenges.
The plans are for STEM education to be revolutionized by modernizing the AM curriculum, more closely aligning it with needs in national security and industrial applications. The goal is to create skilled researchers equipped to tackle complex problems and deliver solutions benefiting society. Diverse groups of students will be prepared and attracted to the field of STEM with a broadened participation.