FLORIDA LEADS.
THE FUTURE FOLLOWS.
How America's leading AI university accelerates the nation's No. 1 state for higher education
UF & AI ACCELERATING HIGHER EDUCATION
The University of Florida is redefining higher education for the AI era, charting a new path for how a flagship university serves residents, strengthens the economy, and drives innovation.
Powered by the nation’s most advanced university-owned supercomputer — HiPerGator — and a strategic partnership with NVIDIA, UF has integrated AI across the curriculum of its 16 colleges. The university is transforming how students learn, how research happens and how discoveries can be translated into innovations that matter in the real world.
Over the past five years, UF has shaped a statewide talent pipeline that is training the future workforce at scale, from K-12 through higher education to working professionals. The university has forged global research partnerships and industry collaborations with Siemens, Autodesk, Google and NVIDIA, resulting in $110 mllion in private and corporate support. UF has accelerated entrepreneurial and research activities to integrate AI into all economic sectors vital to Florida’s future.
DEFINING AI FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
We are driving advancements in FinTech, semiconductors and biomedical science while establishing Florida as the “Silicon Valley of Agriculture.”
When academic and policy leaders around the country seek to infuse AI into their organizations, they turn to UF — from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to the state of Maryland and peer universities across the country. The lure: UF’s twin foci of excellence in research and education that stresses workforce readiness. The goal: Innovation and new talent, attracting employers seeking AI-empowered professionals and an AI-charged business climate.
By uniting education, research and industry collaboration under one vision, UF is helping Florida shape a future where AI is our competitive advantage, innovation is the core economic driver and opportunity is shared statewide
UF AI, BY THE NUMBERS
in research spending in FY25 - nearly 60% powered by HiPerGator
increase in AI-enabled research grants since 2022
student enrollments in AI courses
educators trained in AI
received the grand prize in the Tambellini Group's inaugural Future Campus Award
national semiconductor research network (UF as lead partner)
AI Faculty
AI-related courses
UF’s Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology opened in 2023 to set the standard for future STEM buildings globally and to transform the AI and data science workforce.
Jensen Huang, NVIDIA CEO, described it as
"... nothing short of the starship of the mind - a vehicle that promises to take our intellect to uncharted territories."
FUELING FLORIDA'S ECONOMY
UF’s AI-powered research spurs Florida’s economic growth, helping industries adopt advanced technologies, create new products and secure a competitive edge in global markets. A key example: UF is leading a $285 million national semiconductor research network that is strengthening U.S. chip manufacturing, securing supply chains and positioning Florida as a strategic hub in a critical sector.
Through the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF is transforming Florida into the “Silicon Valley of Agriculture.” Our AI tools increase crop yields, conserve water, reduce waste and protect against devastating diseases. The following technologies — many commercialized through UF-supported startups — create jobs and attract investment.
With 92% of national businesses planning to expand AI investment in the next three years, but only 1% fully integrated, UF is closing the gap — producing both the talent and technologies to accelerate AI adoption statewide.
Digital Twin Models
Virtual cities help policymakers make data-backed choices to inform smarter urban planning projects.
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National Semiconductor Research Leadership
Discoveries that advance chip design and manufacturing, protecting critical U.S. technology infrastructure.
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Life Sciences Startups
Wertheim UF Scripps Institute faculty discoveries, accelerated by AI, lead to new Florida-based biotech companies.
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Health Care Metaverse
In partnership with NVIDIA, UF Health’s digital twin optimizes patient care and hospital design and efficiency.
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Citrus Disease Detection
AI models spot citrus greening early, preserving one of Florida’s most valuable crops.
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Smart Irrigation Systems
Machine-learning tools optimize watering schedules, saving millions of gallons of water annually.
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AI Harvesting Scheduling
Predictive algorithms align harvest timing with market demand to reduce waste.
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Startup Commercialization
UF-supported companies bring AI tools to market, creating jobs, forging partnerships and lifting up the economy.
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EDUCATING & UPSKILLING THE STATE
AI literacy is a core competency for all UF graduates. The focus: Prepare Florida’s students, working professionals and veterans to lead in an AI-powered economy. With AI and data science woven into all 16 colleges and hundreds of courses, Gators graduate with domain-specific AI fluency. This expertise extends well beyond Gainesville. UF partners across the State University System to magnify the reach of its AI training to every Florida region and key industry.
This statewide footprint is driven by UF’s AI² Center, which has trained more than 12,000 higher ed and K–12 educators to integrate AI into the classroom. Meanwhile, the Florida K–12 AI Education Task Force, led by UF in partnership with Google, is developing AI adoption strategies for urban and rural schools alike. At the professional level, UF’s Jacksonville campus will focus on AI applications in health, FinTech and logistics — directly serving Northeast Florida's fastest-growing industries. UF also offers specialized certificate programs to upskill veterans for AI-driven careers, aligning with Florida’s workforce development priorities.
KEY INITIATIVES
- Statewide educator training through AI² Center.
- A UF-led Florida K–12 AI education committee.
- AI job postings from companies like Meta and KPMG shared directly with students.
- Industry-aligned, AI-informed graduate
- programs in Jacksonville.
- Veteran AI workforce certificates.
Through these efforts, UF is making Florida’s workforce job-ready and future-proofed — prepared to integrate AI responsibly, effectively and strategically to advance the state economy.
BUILDING A HEALTHIER, SAFER FLORIDA
UF’s AI expertise makes Florida more resilient — improving disaster response, protecting public health and safeguarding infrastructure.
UF engineers use AI-powered digital twins to simulate bridges, cities and coastlines, identifying potential failures and informing hurricane preparation. UF Health researchers deploy AI to improve cancer detection, track disease outbreaks and tailor treatments to each patient.
UF’s supercomputer, HiPerGator, powers GatorTron, one of the world’s largest medical AI models, enabling faster diagnoses and more effective, affordable care. These projects support the health and wellness of communities now and prepare the state for future challenges.
Digital Twin Infrastructure: Predicts and prevents structural failures.
Hurricane Simulation AI: Models storm surge, wind patterns and evacuation needs for faster response.
GatorTron Medical AI: Processes millions of health records to improve diagnosis accuracy.
AI ICU Simulations: Tests treatment strategies before they're used on patients, improving survival rates.
Epidemic Prediction Models: Forecasts and tracks disease spread for proactive public health interventions.
UF'S EXPANSIVE COMMITMENT TO AI IS FOCUSED ON MORE THAN ECONOMIC GROWTH -
it's protecting lives, preserving resources and making Florida stronger, safer and better prepared for tomorrow.
DESIGNING TOMORROW'S CAMPUS, TODAY
UF is building the most AI-enabled campus in U.S.
higher education — where intelligent, personalized AI companions and operational agents elevate every aspect of university life. From enhancing student success to streamlining operations, these innovations will make UF smarter, faster and more connected than any university in history.
UF’s vision for the campus of the future includes:
Personal AI Assistants
Digital or robotic companions to help students navigate coursework, campus life, and personal growth with tailored support.
Agentic AI for Student Success
Proactive tools that monitor academic progress, suggest resources, and adapt to student learning pathways.
Operational AI Agents
Automating vital research or administrative tasks, freeing UF’s experts to focus on strategic priorities and big ideas.
Infrastructure Intelligence
AI systems that track energy use, optimize efficiency and alert teams to maintenance needs, saving money and operationalizing our campus environment.
FLORIDA - POWERING THE FUTURE
The State of Florida’s vision and investment have made UF the national blueprint for AI in higher education. Continued support will secure Florida’s leadership in the next economy — one driven by human-centered AI, resilient industries and a future-ready workforce.
By investing in UF’s AI-powered innovation engine, Florida is not only keeping pace with global change - it is setting the pace. When Florida leads, the future follows.
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