University of Missouri-Kansas City
MO · AI Readiness #221 of 227
AIREDEX™ Score: 3.6 /10
A dedicated Artificial Intelligence Emphasis is available today within UMKC's computer science program, with a standalone BS in AI in early planning, on top of a U.S. Cyber Command partnership confirmed as the first of its kind nationally.
UMKC's AI Emphasis students can tap the SSE Machine Learning cluster, which includes teaching nodes with NVIDIA GPUs, and the Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center for AI and machine learning research. The Center of Excellence: AI-Empowered Spatial Computing adds a micro-credential pathway with paid internship opportunities at partners including Oak Ridge National Lab. A university-wide AI Task Force, convened by Provost Lundgren, has published recommendations across academic, research, business, and community domains, with implementation beginning in FY27.
Pillar grades
- Commitment: D-
- Curriculum: D
- Partnerships: D+
- Research: C+
A(I)ttitude™: cautious
Selected Highlights
- UMKC AI Task Force convened by Provost Lundgren in fall 2025 with four sub-committees (Academic Experience, Research and Innovation, Business Operations, Community and Economic Development); Task Force Report published as a public document linked from the Provost Initiatives page.
- Published AI Task Force Report constitutes a structured multi-domain strategic recommendations document covering goals, governance, and named programs across four domains.
- Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center (dSAIC) confirmed with active AI and ML research programming; Center of Excellence: AI-Empowered Spatial Computing (COESC) is a named, federally funded (U.S. DoEd) AI center housed within dSAIC at 257 Flarsheim Hall.
- BS Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence Emphasis confirmed as a currently enrollable undergraduate program in the 2026-27 catalog with ABET accreditation; standalone BS in AI announced October 2025 (early planning stage).
- KCRooBot confirmed as a university-built conversational AI chatbot deployed campus-wide; ChatGPT (UM System Education license, SOC 2 Type II) available for faculty/staff purchase.