Board approves AI institute and several program actions across campuses

The Board of Regents approved a set of academic items recommended by the academic affairs committee, including program review actions and the establishment of the University of Nebraska Advanced Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2).

Administration described the A2I2 as a systemwide institute to coordinate AI research, education and public engagement across Nebraska’s strengths — agriculture, health care, engineering, law and the humanities — and indicated it will be funded primarily through grants and contracts rather than new state operating resources.

The board also approved program actions: continued monitoring or in‑depth review where programs did not meet productivity thresholds, approval to continue the Bachelor of Arts in Dance at UNL contingent on enrollment growth and philanthropic support, elimination of a 7–12 Physics endorsement at one campus to streamline offerings, creation of a family and consumer sciences (FCS) endorsement to address an estimated statewide gap of roughly 176 FCS‑endorsed teachers, and elimination of the Russian major at UNL due to suspended admissions and lack of permanent faculty.

Why it matters: Regents said the actions balance program quality and workforce needs — especially teacher endorsements — while the new AI institute aims to position the system competitively in a strategic technology area. The board approved the items by roll call as presented by administration.