Malachowsky Hall: Pioneering a Bright Future for AI and Data Science at the University of Florida

The University of Florida marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, aiming to set new benchmarks for STEM buildings on national and international campuses while revolutionizing the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science education. Located in the heart of the campus, just across from the Reitz Union, this remarkable seven-story, 263,440-square-foot structure, costing $150 million, is a versatile space designed to facilitate collaboration across various disciplines, including medicine, pharmacy, and engineering. It is poised to serve as a central hub for the advancement of computing, communication, and cyber technologies, further cementing UF's commitment to the integration of AI across its curriculum.

UF Board of Trustees Chair, Mori Hosseini, emphasized the building's significance, not just as an architectural marvel but as a symbol of the boundless potential when universities remain unwavering in their pursuit of a brighter future. The building is expected to drive AI education and research, ultimately leading to enhancements in people's lives, strengthening industries, and generating economic growth, both locally and globally.

The building is proudly named after UF alumnus and NVIDIA co-founder, Chris Malachowsky, who played a pivotal role in collaborating with architects to create its distinctive facade. The project received substantial support from the state, amounting to $110 million, along with additional contributions from private and college funds.

Chris Malachowsky expressed his honor in supporting UF's world-class capabilities in AI and data science, recognizing their paramount importance in shaping a better world and seizing unprecedented opportunities.

Thanks to the backing of Chris Malachowsky and Silicon Valley-based AI and accelerated computing company NVIDIA, UF distinguishes itself as the first and only university in the country to offer every student the opportunity to learn about AI and its applications in their respective fields. The university has gained national recognition for its efforts in establishing a competitive AI workforce, actively collaborating with universities, colleges, and K-12 schools to effectively incorporate AI into their educational frameworks.

In 2020, UF announced a generous gift of nearly $60 million from Malachowsky and NVIDIA for HiPerGator, one of the most powerful AI supercomputers in the United States. This system, equipped with 1,120 NVIDIA A100 GPUs, is available to all of UF's 55,000 students. With additional state support, UF has expanded its AI faculty, increasing the number of experts engaged in AI teaching and research to over 300.

Malachowsky Hall's interdisciplinary approach accommodates various UF entities, including the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network coordinated by the College of Medicine, the Biomedical AI Collaborative, and the College of Pharmacy's Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research. The engineering spaces will house the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering, the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, the Florida Institute for Cybersecurity Research, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and the Warren B. Nelms Institute for the Connected World. The hall also features maker spaces for innovation in the realms of virtual reality, the internet of things, robotics, and labs dedicated to AI, robotics, and cybersecurity.

UF President Ben Sasse emphasized that this state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step forward for students and faculty, offering unprecedented opportunities to drive progress and encourage multidisciplinary collaboration. The university's ambition is to establish one of the most forward-thinking and comprehensive research and teaching institutions of our time.

Malachowsky Hall is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from all colleges and disciplines, offering data analytic courses through the Informatics Institute's data science certificate programs. These programs foster cross-college interactions and equip students to tackle complex problems with agility

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In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the facility, students also engaged in a dynamic "fireside chat" between UF President Ben Sasse and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang. This enlightening conversation, moderated by engineering interim dean Forrest Masters, was streamed live for a wider audience.