From the Dean

Welcome to the latest issue of Health Impact. I’m excited to share with you developments happening at UB and our School of Public Health and Health Professions in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), which we’ll explore in detail in our cover story.

UB has long been a leader in AI research, with over 200 researchers working on cutting-edge projects. Now, thanks to the groundbreaking Empire AI initiative, we're poised to take a giant leap forward. This $400 million investment, including a state-of-the-art AI computing center at UB, will revolutionize our capabilities and impact.

What intrigues me most is the potential for AI to address major societal challenges, particularly in health. From early disease detection to personalized treatment plans, from analyzing health disparities to predicting disease outbreaks due to climate change, the possibilities are endless.

In this issue, you'll discover how our faculty are already harnessing AI's power. You'll read about innovative projects in biostatistics, epidemiology and education. You'll learn how we're integrating AI literacy into our curriculum, preparing the next generation of public health and health profession leaders.

As we learn about and adapt to this technology, we remain committed to our core mission: improving health and well-being for all. With AI as a new tool in our arsenal, the future of health may bring us to places we’ve never thought of. I invite you to join us on this journey.