Artificial intelligence a key component of Carnegie Mellon Qatar’s third decade

By Michael Trick, dean, CMU-Q

Although artificial intelligence has been around for more than half a century, it has truly captured the public imagination over the last few years. As with any invention that will significantly shift the way we work and live, many people are nervous about the implications of a world driven by AI. At the heart of these concerns is this question: how will the next generation grapple with the challenges and opportunities of AI? 

I have been a Carnegie Mellon professor for 35 years, first at the Pittsburgh campus and as dean of the Qatar campus since 2017. My own research has used and developed AI methods in planning and scheduling, with application to sports league timetabling and telecommunications network design. Preparing our students to grapple with big questions, in particular the implications of AI, is one we take very seriously.

AI was invented at Carnegie Mellon University more than 50 years ago, and CMU continues to be at the forefront of AI research. The Qatar campus has always had a strong focus on AI, particularly in our academic programs and faculty and student research. As this technology progresses into new areas, we are expanding how we use, teach, and develop AI tools in the classroom, our research labs, and beyond.

AI integration into the curriculum 

AI is an integral part of our academic programs. In our computer science and information systems programs, students learn how AI works, and how it can be refined and improved upon. The areas of study and research include natural language processing, machine learning, robotics, networks and systems, and cyber security, and much more. Simply put, AI touches on nearly every aspect of computer science and information systems.

Our biological sciences students also learn the basics of how artificial intelligence works. Students can opt to take courses or do research in computational biology, an area where AI has the potential to redefine the way we diagnose and treat disease. Precision medicine is possible because of AI.

In business administration, students learn how to apply AI to analyze data and make decisions. AI is having a huge impact in many areas of business, and understanding how to apply these tools will be critical for new graduates. Earlier this year, CMU-Q launched a new AI+Finance certificate for students who are interested in how AI can be applied to decisions in the world of corporate and investment finance. 

Fostering AI research 

AI is part of the research activities in many areas of CMU-Q. Some of the current AI-related projects intersect with sustainability, improving how solar panels are cleaned and maintained and greenhouse plants are cared for. Over the years, several faculty members have also delved into language-related AI questions, including how AI can be used in Natural Language Processing (NLP) in Arabic, Turkish, and English. 

Faculty members are also researching how to use generative AI to improve teaching and learning. At the heart of these research questions is the hypothesis that AI can enhance learning, particularly among those who are new to a subject. In many classes, faculty members have redesigned assignments and learning modules so students learn how to efficiently use AI tools.

Ethical considerations in AI 

As AI becomes more powerful, so are the concerns about its shortcomings. Students are challenged to look at AI tools with a critical eye: how can we make AI outputs more transparent, fair, equitable and helpful. CMU-Q students receive a broad education in the arts and sciences alongside their major-specific coursework. This approach to education cultivates an awareness of the wider context of AI, and how it can be harnessed for positive societal impact.

Looking to the future

As CMU-Q begins its third decade, we are in the midst of an AI-driven renaissance. Many of our graduates are already shaping the way AI is used in fields such as health care, business, transportation, language, and accessibility, to name a few. For our current students, many of their future jobs simply do not exist yet. Artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid pace, and our students will be the future drivers of that change. 

To prepare them, we encourage creativity. Students work across disciplines, and they are given real-world problem sets to study and solve. We encourage exploration in other fields, because a broad understanding of the world shapes progress. And we challenge them to think of problems and solutions that will have an impact on others. 

The 20-year anniversary is an opportunity to look back on where the campus started. It is also an opportunity to look ahead at how we can grow and have a deeper impact. CMU is a global leader in computer science, and at the Qatar campus, we will continue to challenge our community to forge new paths in AI research and implementation. CMU-Q graduates–past, present, and future—will continue to lead the charge in a world that increasingly relies on AI-powered technology.