University of Alabama to launch new School of Data Science

The University of Alabama will soon provide a new degree to focus on data science and artificial intelligence.

The school is hoping to establish the School of Data Science, pending approval by the university’s Board of Trustees. The goal of the initiative is to position UA as a regional and national leader in data-driven research, education and innovation centered on the use of AI.

“The School of Data Science represents a historic investment in Alabama’s future. As the first of its kind in the state, and one of the first in the South, it aligns directly with our goal to position The University of Alabama as a national academic leader. This school will help create the next generation of leaders for Alabama and the nation, ensuring our students are prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving, data-driven world.”

Peter J. Mohler, UA President

A national search for the School’s inaugural dean will begin in the fall, with the School of Data Science scheduled to officially open in 2027.

Artificial intelligence education

Designed as a convening hub that partners with all 13 UA colleges and schools, the new program would serve students from every major and minor.

The School of Data Science will offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs that integrate technical expertise with ethical, social and economic considerations.

The university also hopes the School of Data Science will ensure that data literacy, translational data analytics and artificial intelligence become foundational skills for all UA graduates.

“Data science is transforming nearly every sector of society. Through interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships and innovation-driven collaboration, the School will expand the state’s capacity to compete in emerging and critical fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, energy, business and beyond.”

University of Alabama

The School will be closely connected to UA’s High Performance Computing and Data Center, one of the state’s most advanced research computing environments. The facility will include:

• High-capacity GPU clusters
• Petabyte scale storage
• Highspeed networking designed to support both campus researchers and statewide collaborations

By integrating the HPC with the School of Data Science, the University hopes to create a centralized, interdisciplinary environment where students, faculty, and industry partners can access worldclass computing resources to accelerate discovery and innovation.