Seton Hall’s AI Academy Fosters Innovation Across Disciplines

Recognizing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Seton Hall University has launched the AI Academy as part of its commitment to interdisciplinary innovation. This initiative brings together faculty from diverse fields, fostering collaboration on curriculum development, research and grant opportunities centered around generative AI.
 
The Faculty Matters podcast, a bi-weekly series exploring teaching, research and faculty life, recently dedicated an episode to the AI Academy. Host Mary Balkun, Ph.D., professor and director of faculty development, welcomed Sina Shokoohyar, Ph.D., assistant professor of computing and decision sciences; Jason Hemann, assistant professor of computer science; Hongfei “Frank” Tang, Ph.D., CFA, professor of finance and Viswa Viswanathan, Ph.D., professor of computing and decision sciences, to discuss the Academy’s goals, achievements and the broader implications of AI.
 
A Hub for Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

The AI Academy is not confined to one department — it spans multiple disciplines, engaging faculty from computing, finance, philosophy, psychology, mathematics, social sciences and more. According to Tang, this diversity allows for a broad perspective on AI’s applications, ensuring that ethical, technical and practical implications are considered.
 
“There is potential for AI in almost every discipline,” said Viswanathan, whose own research in AI dates to the late 1980s. The Academy's work is organized into specialized groups, focusing on curriculum design (such as AI certificates), research on AI’s impact in fields like finance and mental health and securing grant funding to support innovation.
 
Preparing Students for the Future

One of the Academy’s primary missions is to integrate AI into Seton Hall’s curriculum. Faculty members are developing certificate programs, courses and training initiatives to ensure students graduate with essential AI competencies. Hemann likened AI proficiency to basic computer skills. Just as today's employers expect basic computer literacy, Hemann predicts that in the near future they'll require new hires to have a baseline competency in task automation.

As AI tools become commonplace, Seton Hall students will be better positioned to leverage them effectively in their careers.
 
Ethics and Environmental Impact

The podcast episode also delved into AI’s ethical and environmental concerns. While much attention is given to AI’s high energy consumption, Shokoohyar pointed out its potential to reduce waste — for example, AI-powered demand forecasting helps retailers like Sam’s Club optimize inventory, minimizing food waste.
 
The ethical implications of AI are another major focus for the Academy. Mark Couch, Ph.D., an associate professor of philosophy, is leading discussions on AI ethics, particularly concerning data privacy and intellectual property. Viswanathan noted, “This genie is not going back in the bottle,” emphasizing the importance of addressing AI’s societal impact proactively.
 
For a deeper dive into the AI Academy’s work and faculty insights, listen to the full Faculty Matters podcast episode.
 
Stay up to date on all AI Academy news by visiting its website.
 
The AI Academy is part of Seton Hall’s Academies initiative launched in 2022, which promotes an array of projects that facilitate innovation across disciplinary thinking and especially things that directly impact students.

*Story was corrected on March 20, 2025 with an update to the quote attributed to Jason Hemann. 

Categories: Science and Technology