UNE launches center to integrate AI across academics and research
The University of New England announced the launch of its Center for Emerging Technologies, a university-wide initiative designed to connect artificial intelligence and other evolving technologies across academic programs, research, and campus operations.
Abigail A. Flower, Ph.D., will lead the center as its inaugural director starting June 15. Flower comes from GlaxoSmithKline, where she served as Director of Applied AI and AI/ML Engineering.
What the center will do
The center will serve as a hub for AI and emerging technology work across UNE's schools, including health sciences, marine and environmental sciences, business, biotechnology, and digital technologies. It will coordinate existing AI efforts, create new partnerships with industry and government organizations, and develop experiential learning opportunities for students.
The center will support applied research initiatives, expand internships and fellowships, and run innovation challenges that let students use emerging technologies to solve real problems.
Flower's background
Flower brings over 15 years of experience in artificial intelligence and data science. Her work spans machine learning, computer vision, clinical decision support systems, and biological data analytics.
Before joining GSK, she was a technical co-founder and CEO of an AI startup focused on conversational analytics. She also served as founding faculty and associate professor at the University of Virginia, where she helped build interdisciplinary data science and AI programs.
Why UNE made the move
Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE's provost, said emerging technologies are reshaping every professional sector. "Universities must prepare students not only to understand these tools, but to apply them thoughtfully in ways that advance society," Mahon said.
Flower said UNE's collaborative approach and mission-driven focus drew her to the role. She emphasized that students need to develop adaptive learning skills and comfort with uncertainty-qualities that will matter as technology continues to change.
"The students who thrive will be the ones who've learned not to fear the unknown, but to meet it with creativity and confidence," Flower said.
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