Ohio State to Hire 100 AI Experts to Lead Global Innovation

The Ohio State University is making a major move to position itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence by launching an ambitious plan to hire 100 new tenure-track faculty members specializing in AI over the next five years. The initiative, called the AI Faculty Hiring Initiative, represents one of the largest academic expansions in the university’s history and is a cornerstone of its broader Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan. This plan, introduced by President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. in his 2025 State of the University address, outlines Ohio State’s vision to become a national powerhouse and global leader in AI-driven research, education, and innovation (Nietzel; “Ohio State to hire 100 new faculty”; “Ohio State University to Boost AI Leadership”).

The university’s comprehensive strategy identifies artificial intelligence as a defining force shaping the future of education, research, and industry. President Carter emphasized that AI is transforming the way people live, work, and learn, and that nearly every job and discipline will soon be affected by AI in some capacity (Nietzel). To meet this evolving demand, Ohio State’s AI Faculty Hiring Initiative will bring in scholars across three distinct cohorts: Foundational AI, which focuses on the theoretical and algorithmic principles behind artificial intelligence; Applied AI, dedicated to developing real-world solutions for Ohio and beyond; and Responsible AI and Cybersecurity, centered on ethical innovation and securing digital systems (“Ohio State to hire 100 new faculty”; “Ohio State University to Boost AI Leadership”).

Initial hiring searches have already begun, with the first group of new faculty expected to arrive by the fall of 2026. These additions will join approximately 300 current Ohio State scholars who are already engaged in AI research across diverse disciplines ranging from engineering and medicine to the humanities. The new faculty will also become key contributors to the AI(X) Hub,  short for “AI to the power of X”, a recently launched, university-wide hub that unites all 15 of Ohio State’s colleges to collaborate on AI research and its applications for the public good. The hub is designed to foster cross-disciplinary partnerships, enabling researchers and students alike to explore how AI can be leveraged to address some of society’s most pressing challenges (“Ohio State to hire 100 new faculty”; “Ohio State University to Boost AI Leadership”).

Ohio State’s leadership has made clear that this initiative extends beyond research. It represents a commitment to transforming the student experience as well. Earlier this year, the university introduced the AI Fluency initiative, which integrates AI literacy into the general education curriculum. Beginning with the Class of 2029, all students, regardless of their major,  will be required to learn the fundamentals of generative AI, participate in workshops, and complete a course titled “Unlocking Generative AI.” The goal is to ensure that every graduate leaves Ohio State fluent not only in their area of study but also in the practical and ethical use of artificial intelligence (Nietzel).

Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda summarized the university’s ambitions by stating that Ohio State is “committed to pursuing academic excellence while harnessing AI in classrooms, studios and research labs.” He noted that AI is reshaping education and research in unprecedented ways and that Ohio State’s exceptional faculty and students are driving innovation across disciplines (“Ohio State to hire 100 new faculty”). By investing heavily in AI expertise and education, the university is signaling its intent to not just adapt to technological change, but to lead it, setting a new standard for how higher education can shape the next generation of AI-driven discovery and societal progress.

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Works Cited

Nietzel, Michael T. “Ohio State University To Add 100 New Faculty As Part Of AI Initiative.” Forbes, 9 Nov. 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2025/11/09/ohio-state-university-to-hire-100-new-faculty-as-part-of-ai-initiative/.

“Ohio State to hire 100 new faculty with AI expertise.” The Ohio State University News, 2025, https://news.osu.edu/ohio-state-to-hire-100-new-faculty-with-ai-expertise/.

“Ohio State University to Boost AI Leadership with 100 New Faculty Hires by 2026.” Hoodline, 2025, https://hoodline.com/2025/11/ohio-state-university-to-boost-ai-leadership-with-100-new-faculty-hires-by-2026/.

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