AI and the Liberal Arts
University Launches AI Hub
The University announced the appointment of Dr. Galin Jones, director of the School of Statistics, as vice provost for artificial intelligence, effective March 4, 2026, and the launch of the University’s Artificial Intelligence Hub.
In this new role, Dr. Jones will lead the launch and growth of the University’s work to strengthen our leadership in AI innovation, education and public impact across the University, our research and outreach efforts, and throughout the state. Dr. Jones’ deep experience collaborating with a wide range of researchers, educators and industry partners is an essential strength as we build a more unified approach to AI across disciplines.
Statistics: The Foundation of AI
“Everything we do is foundational to AI,” shares Galin Jones, director of the School of Statistics. “You cannot do AI without statistics.”
On the Docket converts Supreme Court audio into AI-generated visuals
Professor Timothy R. Johnson's project presents AI-generated representations of the justices delivering their opinions, making these pivotal moments more accessible to the public.
I Am Alan Turing: An Opera By Humans and AI
A team of creatives joins forces with an unlikely collaborator–ChatGPT– to devise an opera about Alan Turing.
Why Does the Future of AI Need Liberal Arts?
Richard Landers discusses the impact of AI technology in the workplace, informed by his experience as a small business owner and liberal arts educator.
CLA Voices on AI
Faculty from across disciplines are engaging AI as a tool and as a phenomenon that intersects with ethics, creativity, society, and identity.
“Spoiler: AI is Not Going Anywhere”
For Amanda Dalola, AI isn’t about replacing real interactions, it's about building bridges and providing a more nuanced sociolinguistic landscape (when the IRL interactions do happen).
Is friendship with a chatbot as good as friendship with an actual person?
Is there something about human friendships that eludes simulation? If so, what? And how much will the answers to questions like these change as AI develops and becomes more convincingly like us? Artificially Yours, written by Professor Valerie Tiberius (philosophy), explains what friendship is and why it’s valuable—and why there is no perfect substitute for human friends.
Artificially Yours: Real Friendship in a World of Chatbots by Valerie Tiberius
Dean's Corner
"We know that our humanity is not a data point; that our emotions, morality, and creativity are not bound by algorithms. However, we also know that AI has transformed—and will continue to transform—our daily lives from the way we learn to the questions we ask about the future."
—Dean GerShun Avilez
AI Insights, Tools, and Tradeoffs
Liberal Arts at the Frontlines of AI
Advancing Arts-Integrative Research at the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is pleased to announce that its community has joined a2ru, the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities. Read Advancing Arts-Integrative Research at the University of Minnesota
Machine Learning Summer Camp Creates Possibilities
<RUN>:\THE\WORLD Machine Learning Summer Day Camp returns to the UMN campus for its 6th year to bring high school students STEM opportunities. Read Machine Learning Summer Camp Creates Possibilities
Teaching stats: R, Open Science, and–of course–AI
Each fall semester for the past five years, Amanda Woodward has welcomed 360 undergraduate students to PSY 3801, Introduction to Psychological Data Analysis. Read Teaching stats: R, Open Science, and–of course–AI
Americans remain skeptical of AI in their news diet, MJC/Poynter study finds
MJC director Benjamin Toff presented the findings at the second Summit on AI, Ethics and Journalism, sponsored by Poynter and The Associated Press Read Americans remain skeptical of AI in their news diet, MJC/Poynter study finds
American Studies: An Interdisciplinary Powerhouse
From AI to Prince and beyond, American studies equips students to understand the influences on our local, national, and global communities. Read American Studies: An Interdisciplinary Powerhouse