CU Denver Opens AI Hub To Expand Hands

The University of Colorado Denver opened a new Artificial Intelligence Hub designed to give students across disciplines hands-on experience using and evaluating AI technologies. The AI Hub opened October 7 in CU Denver’s North Classroom.

The initiative began within the College of Engineering, Design and Computing and was developed with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Office of Information Technology.

The Clarence V. LaGuardia Foundation provided philanthropic support.

Programming will include applied AI learning, interdisciplinary projects, workshops, hackathons, and student innovation initiatives.

The hub is part of a broader expansion of AI education across CU Denver.

Students in engineering and computing can pursue a graduate certificate in advanced AI or an AI and data science track within the master’s program in computer science.

CU Denver’s Business School has introduced a major in business intelligence and AI and updated its business analytics and information systems offerings.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences launched an undergraduate certificate in AI and communication in fall 2026.

Its philosophy department also introduced a course examining the ethics of artificial intelligence.

CU Denver researchers are applying AI to areas including healthcare, chemistry, education, and infrastructure.

One research team helped develop BioNeuralNet, an open-source platform using AI to analyze complex biological information for precision medicine applications.

Another team developed InfraSmart Solutions, which uses machine learning to identify defects in sewer inspection videos.

The system can analyze approximately five hours of footage in less than 30 minutes while identifying defects with more than 85% accuracy.

The researchers have formed a startup around the technology and are exploring municipal pilot programs.

“The future of AI will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by people who ask thoughtful questions, bring different perspectives to complex challenges, and apply sound judgment when deciding where and how these tools should be used.”

Karen Marrongelle, Provost of CU Denver

“AI does not replace human judgment, but effective judgment depends on understanding the tools available to us.”