SDSU Establishes Center to Advance AI Literacy, Ethical Innovation

To ensure its graduates are ready to thrive in an increasingly artificial intelligence-driven world, South Dakota State University announced the establishment of the Center for AI Innovation and Emergent Technologies in March.

"AI is rapidly transforming our world, and we must ensure that South Dakotans are not just observers of the AI revolution but active builders and beneficiaries of it," SDSU President Barry Dunn said. "The newly established center will be critical for AI collaboration across campus and will focus on preparing students to not only be proficient with these tools but to use them ethically — mindful of the impact this technology has on our state, region and world."

Generative AI use in education and across industries will continue to require increasing and intense human oversight. Generative AI's ability to produce essays, computer code and large amounts of information instantly means that high-level critical-thinking and problem-solving will be in-demand skills. SDSU students will receive training through the interdisciplinary AI literacy and competency programming initiated and sponsored by the new center.

To establish the center and address challenges related to AI, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds has secured $750,000 in federal appropriations under the 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill.

This future-focused investment will not only advance the university's land-grant mission but will also produce AI-proficient graduates with the cutting-edge skills needed to lead in the expected workforce transformation.

Written by University Marketing & Communications