With the 2025–26 academic year underway, Rice University is taking bold steps to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in teaching, research and operations. Guided by Momentous, the university’s 10-year strategic plan, Rice is positioning itself as a global leader in the responsible development and application of AI, computing and other disruptive technologies.
From new academic programs and faculty grants to cutting-edge computational infrastructure and expanded access to powerful AI tools, Rice is rolling out a comprehensive framework designed to prepare students, empower faculty and accelerate discovery across disciplines.
“AI is reshaping higher education and society at a pace we’ve never seen before,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “At Rice, we are committed to embracing these tools responsibly, not as substitutes for critical thinking but as accelerators of it. By teaching our students how to use AI thoughtfully and effectively, we are preparing them to thrive in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the world.”
Expanding AI in teaching and learning
As part of its goal to develop leaders equipped to address the world’s complexities through a personalized approach to education, Rice has launched a range of initiatives to support faculty in incorporating AI into the classroom:
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AI exploration and course development grants to help faculty experiment with AI tools, develop new curriculum and design courses that examine AI’s technical, ethical and societal impacts.
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Faculty learning communities focused on AI applications tailored to different disciplines.
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Public-facing responsible AI courses to share Rice expertise with global learners via Coursera, the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies and other platforms.
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A search is underway for the first assistant director for AI and Education, who will lead innovation pilots and foster a campus-wide culture of AI experimentation.
Faculty and staff also have access to a Rice-developed online course, Teaching with AI: From Curiosity to Confidence, as well as a semester-long series of workshops and events, including AI Teaching and Learning Week.
“Rice has always been a leader in educational innovation,” said Shawn Miller, associate provost for digital learning and strategy. “By providing AI tools, training and support, we’re empowering our community to engage with these technologies, and shape their future responsibly and creatively. While we know that AI is no substitute for critical thinking and learning, we believe it is a tool that, when used responsibly, can accelerate and extend them.”
Also new this semester, the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing launched a new Bachelor of Science in AI, equipping undergraduates to become the next generation of AI pioneers. The university is also piloting an AI-driven tutoring program through OpenStax, developed by Rice students and faculty to enhance peer learning.
Broadening access to AI tools
Rice, in partnership with Google, is expanding equitable access to advanced AI platforms such as Gemini and NotebookLM for all faculty, staff and students. More than 1,000 students participated in a Google-led campus event Sept. 10 featuring hands-on training and demonstrations led by Google product experts, equipping the Rice community to integrate AI into teaching, learning and research at scale.
To accelerate discovery across disciplines, Rice has invested in the Rice AI Networked GPU Engine, a state-of-the-art computational resource featuring advanced NVIDIA GPUs. The system will allow researchers to analyze massive datasets and push forward groundbreaking work in fields such as computational biology, solar astrophysics, climate modeling, materials science and generative AI.
The Ken Kennedy Institute’s three-day AI and Machine Learning Boot Camp last spring combined lectures and hands-on sessions to explore foundational and advanced topics in modern AI. Designed for data science professionals with 2–5 years of experience, the course offered practical insight into GenAI tools and how they can be applied to real-world challenges.
Coordinated, campuswide effort
All of these efforts are centralized through the new Rice AI Hub, a resource for strategy, policies, training opportunities and teaching support. The hub reflects Rice’s commitment to thoughtful, universitywide collaboration as AI continues to evolve.
“These initiatives are only the beginning,” Dittmar said. “By aligning our teaching, research and operations with the opportunities AI presents, Rice is charting a path to lead globally in responsible AI.”