The College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University has established the Arts and Humanities AI Institute (AHAII), a pioneering center dedicated to blending scholarship, education, creative endeavors, and public engagement. This initiative aims to investigate the intersection of artificial intelligence and the human experience.
AHAII builds upon Ohio State’s AI Fluency Initiative, which integrates AI competencies within the undergraduate curriculum. The institute will leverage the unique strengths of the college and the expertise of faculty across various departments, including art and design, linguistics, and philosophy, in foundational AI concepts and applications.
“AHAII will serve as a national model for how the arts and humanities can influence the future of AI—viewed not just as tools or technologies, but as vital cultural forces necessitating ethical examination, historical context, and imaginative reevaluation,” noted Dean of Arts and Humanities Dana Renga.
Under the guidance of Interim Director Chris Coleman, AHAII will become a vibrant community hub for faculty and students to explore fundamental questions about the human relationship with AI. The institute will facilitate the development of innovative curricula, foster connections with external partners for internships in AI-focused arts and humanities sectors, and promote collaboration on pressing topics like ethics, bias, creativity, historical rediscovery, and the intersection of art and technology. Additionally, it will provide resources for utilizing and critiquing AI tools to comprehend their impact on arts and culture.
“At its core, AHAII positions the arts and humanities at the forefront of determining our collective future with AI technology,” Coleman explained. “While the AI Fluency Initiative focuses on students, the institute is committed to empowering scholars and researchers with the tools they need to go beyond basic fluency. We are eager to explore how AI can be beneficial and how we can support those who wish to navigate this path.”
This academic year, the college plans to recruit several tenure-track faculty members specializing in the intersection of arts, humanities, and AI. Additionally, it is launching academic programs centered around AI, including undergraduate certificate programs in AI, Art and Creativity (currently in development); AI, Ethics and Society; and AI, Language and Mind.
AHAII is also introducing a new Arts and Humanities AI Postdoctoral/Post-MFA Program aimed at supporting scholars who will help develop these certificate programs. Furthermore, the Arts and Humanities AI Explorer Program is designed for “AI-curious” faculty who wish to enhance their skills and integrate AI into their research, creative projects, and teaching methods.
In addition to the ambitious tenure-track hiring initiative, the college is dedicating over $1 million to support arts and humanities research focused on AI.
