UC launches new center to study AI's impact on society
The $500,000 funded initiative aims to bridge the gap between technological development and human values.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
The University of Cincinnati has secured $500,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to establish a new research center focused on artificial intelligence. The Board of Trustees voted to approve the Center for Humanities and Technology in October 2026. This move places the new entity under the College of Arts and Sciences.
The center was originally designated as the Center for Explainable, Ethical, and Trustworthy AI when the grant was awarded in 2025. It now operates as a dedicated space for studying how emerging technologies affect culture and daily life.
Rudy Buchheit, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, described the funding as a strategic investment in the university's scholarship. "Humanities scholars help us understand how AI affects people, culture, and society," Buchheit said. He noted that the center will ensure technological advancements are implemented responsibly and for the benefit of society.
André Curtis-Trudel, the center's director and Assistant Professor of Philosophy, stated that the project aims to shift attention away from Silicon Valley tech companies and toward academic inquiry. "AI feels like it’s absolutely everywhere these days, it’s a potentially transformative technology whether you’re looking at its impact in the workplace or in research and development or education," Curtis-Trudel said.
The director emphasized that the center's mission extends beyond large language models. They intend to facilitate public conversations about the values embedded in new technologies. "Part of the conversation needs to be, what kind of values do we have, and how can we ensure that those values are supported and promoted by a new technology, as opposed to undermined?" Curtis-Trudel asked.
Programming for the center includes a regular speaker series and an annual conference. The spring 2027 conference will focus on AI rhetoric and explainability. The team has also partnered with the Cincinnati Ethics Center to host workshops on AI ethics and critical reasoning for high school students.
Curtis-Trudel noted that artificial intelligence has evolved significantly since the 1950s, comparing its continuous presence to autopilot systems in aviation. The center seeks to provide continuity in these changes while focusing on human perspectives.
The Center for Humanities and Technology is currently accepting applications from faculty affiliates, undergraduate and graduate researchers, and volunteers for its programming. Interested parties can find more information on the College of Arts and Sciences Centers and Institutes page.
