AUM secures Innovate Alabama Network grant to advance AI initiatives, partnerships
New artificial Intelligence initiatives for students and faculty at Auburn University at Montgomery will be supported by a $200,000 grant from the Innovate Alabama Network.
AUM’s College of Business recently secured the “Talent Development” grant after AUM was selected as a new designee in the Innovate Alabama Network in February. AUM was one of 58 organizations to receive a share of $15 million in grants from Innovate Alabama, a program designed to drive innovation across the state.
“Innovation is a major pillar of academic transformation at AUM,” said AUM College of Business Dean Daewoo Park, who sought the grant on AUM’s behalf. “Our strategic plan places a strong emphasis on innovation and differentiation, and this grant allows us to bring innovation to our business programs in a unique way.”
AUM’s goal is to prepare students for careers in AI while fostering partnerships with local industries to create training, internships and job opportunities, Park said.
“We hope to lead innovation efforts in Alabama as a member of the Innovate Alabama Network, fueling economic growth and development,” he said.
Innovate Alabama is the first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots in Alabama while creating an economy for the future. Aimed at strengthening Alabama’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Innovate Alabama invests in organizations — including higher education institutions, nonprofits, and businesses – with programs that drive community and regional innovation.
Strengthening Alabama’s AI talent pipeline
The grant will fund the multi-year, university-wide “Alabama Talent Development Project” which will enhance AUM’s pioneering Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program — the first of its kind in Alabama housed within a business college. It will also facilitate the establishment of new strategic partnerships with local industry leaders to further workforce development.
“We are also focusing on AI curriculum, student recruitment and business executive training for local business leaders as part of this project,” Park said. “Each of these areas is critical for Alabama’s economic growth and long-term prosperity. This project also aligns directly with AUM’s mission to prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
Given the increasing demand for AI skills, the grant will support AUM’s efforts to attract new students and produce graduates with expertise in this high demand field, Park said.
“With technological advancements reshaping the job market, our MSAI program will ensure that both students and faculty have the transferrable skills necessary for successful AI careers,” he said.
With the support of the grant, the College of Business is revamping the MSAI program’s curriculum and course offerings through collaboration with other colleges at AUM, including the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The goal is to develop more AI-focused courses across various colleges and create a comprehensive AI learning platform that supports research, teaching, and industry engagement. AI skills are in high demand across industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and logistics, both in Alabama and nationally, Park noted.
“There is an increasing need for skilled professionals with AI expertise,” he said. “For those interested in pursuing an AI career in Alabama, proficiency in areas like data science, machine learning, programming, and analytics is essential to enhance their job prospects.”
As part of the grant, AUM is also expanding its workforce development initiatives by offering student internships, graduate job opportunities, and faculty training in collaboration with new industry partners.
AUM has formed a new partnership with Hyundai and its suppliers known as the Hyundai Alabama Partners Alliance for the College of Business at AUM (HAPACA) to support these workforce development initiatives, as well as AI education, Park said.
“Through this 30-member alliance, we’ve been able to offer new internships and create job opportunities for our graduates,” he said. “These experiential learning opportunities have led to some of our graduates being hired with businesses within the alliance. By training local talent in AI, we’re upskilling the workforce, attracting new industries, and strengthening the state’s economy and competitiveness.”
