Showcasing commitment to innovation and harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the Commonwealth of Virginia has launched a new website in partnership with Google—“Virginia Has Jobs: Activate Your AI Potential.”
Among its catalog of AI education resources that promote a “future-ready Virginia,” the site lists Marymount University’s Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, which launched in Summer 2024. Blending computer science, cybersecurity, information technology and machine learning, the program prepares students to apply AI concepts across industries.
“Artificial intelligence has been developing for quite some time, but in the last two years it’s exploded across every industry,” said Dr. Diane Murphy, Director of Marymount’s Center for the Innovative Workforce and Professor in the University’s School of Technology and Innovation. “Marymount recognized its significance early on and launched our AI program well before other institutions began to explore this area. That early adoption reflects our proactive approach and our mission to ensure students are truly prepared for the workforce of tomorrow.”
Across the University, artificial intelligence has been a rising focus for students and faculty. From research projects to government grants, Marymount has been integrating AI readiness into all aspects of education.
“Artificial intelligence is a transformative force that will reshape every industry, and higher education must take the lead,” said Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University. “We’re preparing our students to thrive in an AI-driven world through integrated coursework, cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships that ensure they will shape the future responsibly.”
Over the past two years, Marymount has received several federal grants aimed at furthering AI research and workforce development. The University was awarded a grant in 2023 from the National Institutes of Health to establish an AI health equity lab and engage faculty and students in cross-disciplinary research that explores how AI can further health care, particularly in falls prevention. The following year, Marymount received a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a project on “Accelerating AI Workforce Development: Preparing Faculty for Teaching AI Across Domains and Pathways.”
“Even though we’re a smaller, private institution, we can offer individualized attention to students and tailor programs to meet real-world demands. That’s a tremendous advantage, and our success in securing grants and partnerships shows how others see the value in what we’re doing,” Dr. Murphy explained. “It also recognizes our longstanding commitment to workforce readiness. We’re seeing students participate in research projects where they’re actively building and applying AI tools. That kind of hands-on experience is not only beneficial academically, but is incredibly attractive to employers.”
One of the largest research areas for Marymount students and faculty has been implementing AI in health care. Breakout research in 2023 by Marymount Associate Professor Dr. Catherine Diaz-Asper demonstrated how AI can be used to screen for Alzheimer’s and other signs of cognitive decline in elderly individuals.
“One of the things that makes my research so impactful is that combining a low-tech and widely available device, the telephone, with high-tech analysis methods can potentially reach many more people who need dementia screening services,” Dr. Diaz-Asper said. “I hope people learn that recent advances in natural language processing and machine learning can be applied to something as simple as a telephone conversation to aid in detecting cognitive decline.”
Another research project, led by Assistant Professor Dr. Osei Hyiamang, seeks to explore the application of generative AI models in health care and how they could impact care delivery and overall community health outcomes.
“There are lots of new ways that generative AI models are being used within the health care industry, particularly related to diagnostics, drug discovery, personalized medicine, medical imaging and patient education,” Dr. Hyiamang explained. “Our research is attempting to analyze the potential benefits and critical challenges associated with the responsible, ethical and fair integration of generative AI into health care systems.”
Dr. Murphy says Marymount is also seeking to integrate AI into the larger academic landscape across the University.
“One major initiative we’re leading is increasing student participation in lab work and research projects where they can explore AI tools and applications more experientially. It’s important to teach students how to use AI responsibly—not as a shortcut or a way to avoid original work, but as a tool that can help jumpstart ideas or improve efficiency. The tools available now are incredibly powerful, but we need to help students understand when and how to use them effectively.”
The University has also invested in initiatives to help increase AI awareness beyond campus. In 2024, Marymount began a partnership with DC Public Schools to create “AI for All,” a six-week dual enrollment summer program that teaches high school students how to use AI tools they may encounter in classrooms and the workplace. To date, Marymount has helped 35 high school students better understand emerging AI technologies.
“AI is being implemented in virtually every field—not just in tech or engineering, but in business, communications, design, politics and health care,” Dr. Murphy said. “That means the job market is changing rapidly. Being AI-literate gives students an edge, and we want our graduates to be the ones leading innovation. If you understand how to use AI to enhance your work, offer new solutions or work more efficiently, you make yourself invaluable.”
