UNC to consolidate colleges to create AI school
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill plans to consolidate its data science and information and library science schools to form a school centered on artificial intelligence.
The consolidation, reported by the school’s paper, The Daily Tar Heel, last Thursday, is planned for sometime after the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year.
“Both SILS and SDSS bring distinct strengths and areas of excellence to Carolina — technical expertise, humanistic inquiry and a deep understanding of the societal implications of emerging technologies,” reads a statement from Chancellor Lee Roberts and Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jim Dean. “The new school will grow and amplify the impact of research and scholarship, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and expand opportunities to respond to the challenges of our time.”
Artificial intelligence degrees and schools have grown in popularity among colleges and universities since the rise of ChatGPT in 2022.
One anonymous faculty member told the The Daily Tar Heel that the change could relegate the roles of established colleges.
And though school leaders said that current students will be able to continue in their programs, some students voiced concern that programming might change before they are able to graduate.
