What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) describes the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are conditioned to think and learn like humans. It is a multidisciplinary discipline that combines computer science, mathematics, psychology, and other areas to develop intelligent systems. AI systems use algorithms, which are sets of rules and instructions, along with large amounts of data to simulate human-like reasoning and behavior. This allows machines to analyze complex data, recognize patterns, and make autonomous decisions, leading to advancements in various fields such as healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment. According to Next Move Strategy Consulting, the market for artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to show strong growth in the coming decade. Its value of nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars is expected to grow twentyfold by 2030, up to nearly two trillion U.S. dollars.
Branches of AI
Artificial Intelligence encompasses several branches, each focusing on different aspects of intelligent behavior and problem-solving. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research, UCF explores the intersection of these branches, unlocking new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
- Computer Vision
- Data Analytics
- Machine Learning
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Robotics
Why UCF?
As UCF continues to make strong strides to be the University for the Future, we’re playing an important role in exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can analyze more and deeper data with incredible accuracy, as well as greatly improve efficiency by expediting or even automating certain tasks. AI and its many implications present an enormous opportunity — and responsibility — for purposeful, impactful innovation at UCF.
A Network of AI Researchers
UCF’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative (Aii) aimed at strengthening AI expertise across key industries such as engineering, computer science, medicine, optics, photonics, and business. With plans to onboard nearly 30 new faculty members specializing in AI, this initiative signals UCF’s commitment to driving innovation and progress in AI-related fields.
Through Aii, an interdisciplinary team will harness the power of AI and computer vision to expand into emerging areas such as robotics, natural language processing, speech recognition, and machine learning. By bridging diverse industries, this collaborative effort seeks to pioneer groundbreaking technologies with wide-ranging societal impact.
A Top University for Artificial Intelligence
14
Articles presented at Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference in 2023
Benchmark
UCF101 dataset is the research benchmark for all papers on human action recognition.
36 years
UCF has been the U.S. National Science Foundation REU site in computer vision.
3 projects
Funded by Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity.
Powering AI Innovation from the Heart of Florida
Nestled among Research Park, downtown Orlando, and vibrant research hubs like the Lake Nona Medical City, UCF has a unique advantage in tapping into the diverse resources fueling AI research and development. Orlando’s dynamic tech scene fosters close-knit collaborations with industry partners and embraces cultural diversity, driving interdisciplinary efforts with real-world impact. Whether we’re delving into cutting-edge technologies within our local community or forging connections with global leaders, UCF’s position sets the stage for unparalleled growth in AI, shaping the future of innovation.
Transforming Lives Through AI Research
Much like electricity transformed the 20th century, AI is set to revolutionize the 21st. The adoption of AI isn’t just about technological change; it’s a catalyst for an industrial revolution fundamentally reshaping how we live and thrive.
From making medicine more accessible to building more sustainable cities, AI impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, and UCF’s faculty, students, and alumni are at the heart of it.
Autonomous Vehicles
Self-driving cars were once science fiction fantasy. Today, UCF researchers are making them a reality, promising safer roads, reduced congestion, and increased accessibility, revolutionizing how people and goods are transported.
- Driving the Future
- Developing a Computer Vision-based Navigation System
- AVs and the Future of Transportation
Managing Healthcare
From personalized treatment recommendations to optimizing resource allocation in hospitals, AI-driven solutions enhance efficiency and improve patient outcomes while reducing costs.
- Advanced Medicine
- Expanded Reality in Healthcare
- Using AI in Medicine to Better Predict Disease
Planning Cities and Economies
As smart cities become increasingly popular nationwide, UCF researchers are bringing cutting-edge AI tools and technology to one of the most heavily traveled areas in the state — improving mobility, business and safety for future generations here and across the nation.
- The New Era of Simulation
- Where Artificial Intelligence Meets Urban Planning
Reshaping Education
UCF researchers explore ways to learn from AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, to improve the learning experience for students and faculty. Through innovative approaches, they aim to revolutionize the educational landscape, fostering more interactive and personalized learning experiences.
- Could AI Save Education?
- Using AI to Help Children on the Autism Spectrum
Preserving Cultural Heritage
UCF researchers are leveraging AI to preserve cultural heritage, ensuring the protection of historical sites for future generations.
- Using Satellites to Protect Ancient Sites in Syria, Iraq
- Documenting and Triaging Cultural Heritage (DATCH) Project
Protecting Wildlife
Emphasizing the significance of proactive conservation efforts for future challenges UCF researchers work on the development of effective wildlife management strategies.
- Monitoring Genetic Mutations to Manage Florida Panther
Renewable Energy
UCF researchers are making renewable energy sources like solar and wind power more accessible and reliable, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
- The Truth About the Future of Energy
- Developing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Simulators
A Network of Leading AI Experts
At UCF, our educators and researchers are mentors and leaders, thinkers and doers, big dreamers and problem-solvers. Here, different approaches to exploring and advancing AI also lead to unique collaborations with a variety of industry experts.
- Recognizing Human Action
- Accelerating Drug Development
- Harvesting the Potential of AI
Mubarak Shah Ph.D.
Trustee Chair Professor of Computer Science
The director of UCF’s Center for Research in Computer Vision, Shah also leads the Artificial Intelligence Initiative’s interdisciplinary team in pursuing new AI technologies. Recently, he and a team of UCF researchers received a prestigious prize for their pioneering human action recognition dataset.
Called UCF-101, the dataset includes videos with a range of actions taken with large variations in video characteristics — such as camera motion, object appearance, pose and lighting conditions. This footage provides better examples for computers to train with due to their similarity to how these actions occur in reality.
Find out more about this widely cited dataset
Ozlem Garibay Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Fusing AI with medicine, Garibay and a team of UCF researchers devised a new, more accurate prediction method that could accelerate the development of life-saving medicines and new treatments for various diseases. Both of which otherwise take decades of time and billions of dollars to produce.
The method models drug and target protein interactions using natural language processing techniques — and the team achieved up to 97% accuracy in identifying promising drug candidates. Garibay says this innovation has the potential to slow down diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer and the next global virus.
Explore the details on this drug-screening method
Yunjun Xu, Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
By combing nature with technology, Xu and a team of researchers are exploring the use of autonomous robots in agriculture.
Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the project will enhance the agricultural applications produced by the AI Institute for Transforming Workforce and Decision Support.
Xu’s team of researchers are applying AI to a variety of concepts to improve mobility, autonomy, precision, and analysis by agricultural robots. Advancing this technology will make farming more efficient, sustainable and cost effective.
Discover how this team will revolutionize agriculture
Artificial Intelligence Degrees and Academic Programs
UCF offers a comprehensive range of degrees related to Artificial Intelligence, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and online programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Best bachelor’s degrees for a career in artificial intelligence and data science
- Computer Science BS
- Computer Engineering BSCpE
- Data Science BS
- Statistics BS
Graduate Degrees
Top master’s and doctoral degrees for artificial intelligence and data science
- Computer Science MS
- Computer Vision MS
- Big Data Analytics Ph.D.
- Data Analytics MS
- Mathematical Sciences MS
- Statistics and Data Science MS
UCF Online Degrees
Nationally recognized fully online data analytics programs
- Fintech MS
- Healthcare Informatics MS
- Travel Technology and Analytics MS
- Data Analytics Certificate
- Data Modeling Certificate
Meeting the AI Demand with Top Talent in Orlando and Nationwide
Industry-leading companies throughout Florida and across the country have come to rely on UCF’s talent pipeline to advance their own efforts and positively impact their fields. Orlando’s top technology employers, including L3Harris and Northrop Grumman, are connected directly to UCF’s talent pipeline helping to cement the region as Florida’s technology and innovation hub. From computer science to engineering to optics and photonics, UCF alumni are making powerful contributions through fulfilling careers.
AI-Related Companies Employing UCF Alumni
- Adobe
- Amazon
- AstraZeneca
- IBM
- L3Harris
- Mayo Clinic
- NVIDIA
- Netflix
- Northrop Grumman
- Qualcomm
- Sony
- Twitch
- WeWork
Areas of Excellence
Innovation. Access. Impact. Our integrated approach to teaching and learning prepares students for the future of work and lifelong careers, making a difference in their communities and around the world.
