Delaware State University Partners in $21.5 Million NSF AI Institute for Human-AI Cooperation

DOVER, Del. — As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly woven into health care, research and everyday life, students and faculty at Delaware State University will have a front-row seat to help shape how this transformative technology can work alongside people to improve lives. DSU has joined a prestigious national coalition as a partner in the newly launched National Science Foundation (NSF) AI Institute for Human-AI Cooperation (HAIC), a five-year, $21.5 million initiative advancing the science of how humans and machines can collaborate.

The institute brings together researchers and clinicians across artificial intelligence, health care, rehabilitation, engineering, robotics and neuroscience.

At the heart of the institute is a compelling question: what if artificial intelligence could work side by side with clinicians and physical therapists — adapting to each patient, guiding treatment decisions and accelerating recovery? From a teenage athlete rehabilitating after knee surgery to a grandparent relearning to walk after a stroke, the researchers aim to build AI systems that cooperate with, rather than replace, the professionals who care for patients. The goal is technology that helps people regain mobility, live independently and recover faster.

For Delaware State University, the partnership is about far more than prestige — it is about expanding research capacity and opening doors for students. “This partnership strengthens the research infrastructure we're building across Delaware State University's academic programs,” said Dr. Patrice Gilliam, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Delaware State University. “Working alongside the University of Delaware, Penn, Princeton, and Florida on human-AI cooperation gives our faculty and students access to a caliber of collaboration that elevates everything we do in the classroom and the lab.”

The opportunity is especially meaningful for HBCU students who are underrepresented in AI and advanced research fields. Through HAIC, DSU students and faculty will gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research, cross-institutional mentorship and pathways into some of the fastest-growing careers in technology, health care and data science. Investments like this help ensure that the next generation of AI researchers, engineers and clinicians reflects the full diversity of the communities the technology is meant to serve.

As one of the nation's leading HBCUs, Delaware State University continues to build a reputation as a hub for innovation and research excellence. For HBCU Connect's community of students, alumni and employer partners, DSU's role in the NSF HAIC Institute is a powerful reminder that HBCUs are helping lead the way into the AI era. Learn more about the institute and the University's growing research portfolio at www.desu.edu.