The University of New England is launching an interdisciplinary center to advance AI-driven education, research and workforce innovation.
The goal of the Center for Emerging Technologies is to unite artificial intelligence and other evolving technologies across academic programs, research and university operations, while broadening experiential learning, industry partnerships and applied research opportunities, according to a news release.
Emerging technologies include artificial intelligence, biotechnology, environmental analytics and automation, said UNE. The school, ranked No. 7 among Maine’s largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, has campuses in Biddeford and Portland and overseas in Morocco.
“Emerging technologies are transforming nearly every professional sector, and universities must prepare students not only to understand these tools, but to apply them thoughtfully in ways that advance society,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
AI engineer
UNE hired Abigail Flower as the center’s inaugural director, effective June 15.
Flower currently serves as director of applied AI and AI/machine learning engineering at GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical company. Her work has focused on translating advanced analytics and machine learning tools into practical applications in health care, environmental science, biotechnology and workforce training.
Before GlaxoSmithKline, she was a technical co-founder and CEO of an artificial intelligence startup focused on conversational analytics platforms and founding faculty and associate professor at the University of Virginia, where she helped develop interdisciplinary data science and AI programs spanning medicine, nursing and applied analytics.
Tech integration
At UNE, Flower will work with faculty and academic leaders to help integrate emerging technologies into curricula, expand co-curricular learning opportunities, support applied research initiatives and strengthen partnerships with industry, government and nonprofits.
The center will support academic and research collaborations across the university, including the health sciences, marine and environmental sciences, business, biotechnology and digital technologies.
The center will provide internships, fellowships, innovation challenges and partnerships with external organizations, with a goal to create new pathways for students to gain hands-on experience using emerging technologies to address complex real-world challenges.
Another goal is to help coordinate and reveal artificial intelligence and automation efforts already underway across UNE’s academic, research and operational units, creating opportunities for collaboration and shared learning across disciplines.
Space will be dedicated for the center’s use on both UNE campuses, in Biddeford and Portland. Both spaces are currently under renovation, a spokesperson told Mainebiz.
Student employees will work in the center. The center will collaborate with staff in UNE’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Source:
https://mainebiz.biz/article/university-of-new-england-center-will-advance-ai-driven-education/
https://www.techedmagazine.com/category/technology/artificial-intelligence/
“Emerging technologies are transforming nearly every professional sector, and universities must prepare students not only to understand these tools, but to apply them thoughtfully in ways that advance society,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Space will be dedicated for the center’s use on both UNE campuses, in Biddeford and Portland.
