TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama is making a major push into artificial intelligence with plans to create a new School of Data Science.
The proposal still needs approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. If approved, it would be the first school of its kind in the state and one of the first in the Southeast.
University President Peter J. Mohler says the goal is simple. Prepare students for a job market that is changing fast.
“At its core, this is about building the future workforce for our state and for our nation,” Mohler said.
The announcement comes as more industries rely on data and artificial intelligence to make decisions.
Mohler says there are not enough workers to meet that demand right now.
“Demand for that talent is already outpacing supply in some cases as much as three to one,” he said.
He also pointed to the financial incentive. Workers with AI skills can earn significantly more, sometimes as much as a 65 percent pay increase.
From healthcare and finance to manufacturing and national defense, employers are looking for people who understand how to work with data.
UA leaders say this program will not be limited to students studying computer science or engineering.
“We need it in nursing, we need it in business, we need it in healthcare,” Mohler said. “This is a major effort to combine our expertise across all disciplines.”
Dr. Brian Butler, dean of UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, says that reflects a larger shift.
“This school is part of a larger effort to ensure that all of our students have the core skills they need, no matter what their career is,” Butler said.
He says understanding data and AI is quickly becoming a basic skill, no matter what job someone goes into.
The School of Data Science is expected to offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, along with certificates that show employers a student has experience with AI and data.
Some students may go into more technical roles like data analysts or engineers. Others may use those skills in fields like business, communications, or healthcare.
Butler says the bottom line is that students without these skills could be at a disadvantage.
“Well, the reality is if you don’t have these skills it hinders their future,” Butler said.
The new school will be closely tied to UA’s High Performance Computing and Data Center, which is expected to open next year.
That facility will give students and researchers access to advanced computing systems, allowing them to work with large amounts of data and real-world problems.
University leaders say that connection could also help build partnerships with industry and attract more research funding to the state.
UA leaders say the impact could go beyond campus.
They believe the new school could help grow Alabama’s workforce, attract new businesses, and strengthen the state’s role in emerging technology fields.
“Our goal is to make sure that the University of Alabama provides workforce so the state is leading in these spaces,” Mohler said.
The proposal will go before the Board of Trustees in the coming months.
If it is approved, UA will begin searching for the school’s first dean this fall. Leaders say they hope to open the School of Data Science in 2027.
As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of work, UA leaders say this new school is about making sure students are ready to keep up.