Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping our world, revolutionizing industries and enhancing our daily lives. Generative AI tools are being widely used to diagnose diseases, develop new materials and better yielding crops, optimize supply chains and financial transactions, support teaching and learning, and even create art. AI is unlocking unprecedented opportunities for progress and innovation.

University of Delaware First State AI Institute This initiative will invest in a state-of-the-art AI infrastructure to provide the computational power necessary to develop and deploy cutting-edge AI models, including large language models (LLMs). By investing in AI hardware and software, we will create a sustainable platform from which to create the FIRST STATE AI INSTITUTE at the University of Delaware, a hub of excellence that will integrate existing AI efforts, drive innovation, and position the University as a leader in AI technology.

University of Delaware First State AI Institute

This initiative will invest in a state-of-the-art AI infrastructure to provide the computational power necessary to develop and deploy cutting-edge AI models, including large language models (LLMs). By investing in AI hardware and software, we will create a sustainable platform from which to create the FIRST STATE AI INSTITUTE at the University of Delaware, a hub of excellence that will integrate existing AI efforts, drive innovation, and position the University as a leader in AI technology.

UD Professor Sunita Chandrasekaran (center) is leading a new National Science Foundation project to develop the pipeline for research software engineers (RSEs)

The institute will focus its efforts across four key areas

Research Excellence

The Institute will provide the technical expertise for faculty and researchers to implement AI-based solutions to facilitate their research endeavors. This represents an evolution of the Unidel-funded AI Center for Excellence which will anchor this spoke.

Enhanced Teaching and Learning

The Institute will support enhancements to our teaching and learning tools, including the UD Study AiDE project, and innovation from IT Academic Technology Services, to provide UD-customized study tools for student learning.

Optimized Business Operations

AI can significantly improve business operations by automating tasks, optimizing processes, and providing valuable insights. For example, we envision that the Institute will support the development of AI-powered chatbots to handle inquiries, AI-assisted review of contracts and agreements, and AI-assisted review of faculty research compliance.

Ethical AI Leadership

AI can significantly improve business operations by automating tasks, optimizing processes, and providing valuable insights. For example, we envision that the Institute will support the development of AI-powered chatbots to handle inquiries, AI-assisted review of contracts and agreements, and AI-assisted review of faculty research compliance.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Hen Street Hacks - The Next Summer Hackathon Event

Aug 13-15, 2025

In collaboration with DARSE, the AICoE is co-hosting a 3rd annual summer hackathon, Hen Street Hacks. We are soliciting case studies for the event until July 10th! 

Learn More

UD + Atom hackathon 2024

July 18, 2025

The UD’s AI Center of Excellence (AICoE) and Data Science Institute (DSI) along with the ATOM team ran their first UD-Accelerating Therapeutics for Opportunities in Medicine (ATOM) Hackathon!

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DS + AI Hackathon 2023 Team Published Research

June 7, 2025

Collaborations continued after the AICoE hackathon ended, and the team published their research at ICWSM

Read Proceedings

IN THE NEWS

University of Delaware Launching First State AI Institute to Push Boundaries of Research and Innovation

by Tracey Bryant | Jun 24, 2025

The new First State AI Institute at the University of Delaware, led by Prof. Sunita Chandrasekaran, will develop practical tools to help researchers analyze data and streamline complex tasks, while also exploring how AI can improve campus operations….

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Building a Data-Intensive Research Workforce for the Mid-Atlantic

by Tracey Bryant | Nov 18, 2024

University of Delaware program to create pipeline for new professionals November 18, 2024 Professor Sunita Chandrasekaran is leading a new NSF project (Democratizing Access to Research Software…

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AI Institute Leadership Team

Leading the Way

The First State AI Institute is under the direction of Sunita Chandrasekaran, David L. and Beverly J.C. Mills Career Development Chair in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, with Rudi Eigenmann (center), Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and John Huffman, director of IT-Research Infrastructure. The institute’s research will advance an open, human-centered vision of AI — one rooted in transparency, accountability and the public good. The institute will develop practical tools to help researchers analyze data and streamline complex tasks, while also exploring how AI can improve campus operations.
MEET OUR TEAM

VISIT US

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we live, work, and learn — from diagnosing diseases to optimizing business operations and enhancing education. The FIRST STATE AI INSTITUTE is at the forefront of this change, empowering research, improving campus life, and leading the charge in ethical AI development.

Whether you’re a researcher, student, or industry partner, come see how we’re shaping a human-centered, transparent, and responsible AI future.

Visit Us at the FIRST STATE AI INSTITUTE
Located in the Fintech Innovation Hub on STAR Campus
591 Collaboration Way, Suite 417
Newark, DE 19713

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AI Institute Leadership Team

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