Maryland Lt. Gov. Miller Applauds Smith School’s AI Programs During Visit

Across all industries and sectors, artificial intelligence and new technologies are forcing organizations to course-correct for future success. That’s why the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business is leveraging new programs to empower its students to navigate and lead in the new norms.

On Tuesday, July 1, Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller visited the Van Munching Hall to experience firsthand how the Smith School is meeting the moment and helping tens of thousands of individuals globally skill up and pivot toward new careers.

Miller’s visit included a preview of one of the school’s cutting-edge programs—the Free Online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment, designed to support working professionals by providing an analysis of AI concepts, examining real-world applications, and working closely with professors and industry experts. 

The certificate program, offered by the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business and the Executive Education Office, was launched in May and has since eclipsed over 20,000 enrollments globally. 

The Smith School’s initiatives, such as the AI certificate program, align with Miller and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s recent push to generate statewide growth in what they consider ‘lighthouse’ industries, including life sciences, information technology, aerospace engineering and artificial intelligence. 

Miller says that the University of Maryland “is one of the best locations” in the state where all of those disciplines and industries converge, adding that programs, like those offered by the Smith School, have the potential to drive innovation and generate a positive impact in the lives of students and professionals residing far beyond the state’s boundaries.

“This is a great example of when we’re faced with a challenge, such as the one we faced recently with federal workers being displaced, that the University of Maryland immediately seized that moment and said, ‘We’re going to teach these federal workers AI skills,’” says Miller. “This is what you can do in a moment of challenge to create such good for the world; to bring people together and give them these skill sets.”

During her visit, Miller and her team members participated in sessions led by Dean Prabhudev Konana and Smith professors Balaji Padmanabhan and P.K. Kannan, focusing on AI literacy and capabilities, building AI systems and governance, and use cases for AI in public sector administration. She also observed AI project demonstrations from students in Smith’s Master of Science in Information Systems and PhD programs.

To Miller, these programs, which focus on relevant skills, are crucial in preparing members of the workforce to meet the demands of a dynamic business environment moving forward. She also notes the state’s priority in these efforts, as evidenced by its hiring of the first-ever AI officer, who focuses on the ethical and equitable use of the technology.

“Whether we want to believe it or not, it’s here right now. You can resist it, but that’s not what we want here in Maryland,” says Miller. “We want to be well-prepared for the good and the challenges that come with AI in the future.”