Utah State University launched the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Center on January 14, 2025, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among students, faculty, and industry to advance AI research, innovation, and real-world applications in science, healthcare, and beyond.
Utah State University (USU) is stepping into a new era of innovation with the inauguration of its Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Center. Officially launched on January 14, 2025, this groundbreaking initiative brought together experts and visionaries to explore its transformative potential and celebrate a bold new chapter for the university.
The DSAI Center serves as a nexus for students, faculty, and industry partners interested in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Kevin Moon, the center’s director and an associate professor of mathematics and statistics, highlighted its mission: “Our goal is to foster collaboration across disciplines. By creating a nexus for researchers and educators, we’re building a stronger data science and AI community at USU.”
Four founding departments—Mathematics and Statistics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Data Analytics and Information Systems, and Computer Science—joined forces with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to bring this vision to life. Each department contributes funding and expertise, ensuring the center has a broad, interdisciplinary foundation.
While the DSAI Center already hosts research seminars and workshops, its future ambitions are even greater. USU has plans to establish a dedicated physical space for the center, providing the infrastructure needed to support larger projects and more collaboration. “We’re building a community,” Moon emphasized. “Our first step is bringing people together. Next, we’ll create opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving.”
Dr. Berton Earnshaw, a Founding Fellow at Recursion Pharmaceuticals and Scientific Director at Valence Labs, delivered an inspiring keynote at the launch event. His talk underscored AI’s transformative potential in scientific discovery. “The future of scientific discovery is autonomous,” Earnshaw stated, explaining how AI tools can analyze vast datasets, identify patterns, and even design experiments.
Earnshaw illustrated these advancements by referencing Moore’s Law, which describes the doubling of computer processing power roughly every two years. This rapid evolution has driven the incredible progress of AI. However, he contrasted this with Eroom’s Law, a trend in drug discovery where costs rise exponentially despite technological advancements. “We need tools that can help us navigate and make sense of this complexity,” he remarked, pointing to AI’s potential to reverse inefficiencies in research and development.
Earnshaw’s vision dovetails perfectly with the DSAI Center’s mission of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to drive meaningful advancements. “It’s exciting, maybe a little scary, but it’s happening,” he said, encouraging attendees to embrace the rapid changes AI is bringing.
John O’Neil, USU’s Vice President for Operational Strategy, echoed this sentiment. “USU is all in when it comes to AI,” O’Neil said. “Get engaged, collaborate across colleges, and dream big dreams for the Aggies of tomorrow.”
The launch event concluded with a reception and poster session showcasing cutting-edge research by USU students and faculty. Attendees explored projects ranging from advancements in machine learning to AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science. The session highlighted the breadth of talent and innovation fostered by the DSAI Center.
With its emphasis on fostering partnerships and addressing real-world challenges, the DSAI Center positions USU as a leader in shaping the future of data science and AI. As the center grows, its impact will resonate far beyond campus, influencing industries and communities across Utah and beyond.
Dr. Earnshaw’s closing remarks captured the spirit of the day: “It’s exciting, and it’s happening fast. The work we’re doing today will shape the future in profound ways.”