Recently, artificial intelligence and robotics (AIR) have been making huge advances enabling them to enter new applications, constituting disruptive forces to various aspects of our lives. Developing countries such as Jordan and Lebanon suffer from slowing economies and high unemployment rates. These problems will worsen as AIR technologies succeed in automating more jobs and shifting production and jobs to the countries that employ these technologies to efficiently offer better services and products. Therefore, it is essential for all countries to engage in using and developing these technologies to create new businesses, improve existing products and services, and foster human prosperity.The consortium of this proposal is taking the initiative of "Developing Curricula for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (DeCAIR)"; a project that intends to develop curricula in the areas of AIR through new master's and bachelor programs. These programs will give students opportunities to specialize in AI technologies, Robotics technologies, or using AI solutions to develop smart and autonomous robots that can solve unconventional problems. Additionally, DeCAIR will improve the curricula of existing masters and bachelor programs in the areas of AIR, establish relevant modern laboratories, and implement modern teaching methods such as flipped learning and project-based learning. All this will improve the graduates' practical skills and enable them to exploit these revolutionary technologies to solve local and regional problems, create new jobs, and to start new ventures.Other project aims are to improve the teaching capacity at universities of the Partner Countries, build a network of highly qualified professionals in these areas among partner universities, and improve collaboration with local and regional industries and community for applying AIR technologies in solving industry and community problems.
•Develop new Master’s and bachelor’s programs specializing in AI, robotics, and smart robot applications.•Enhance existing programs in AIR-related fields.•Establish modern labs and implement innovative teaching methods.•Improve faculty capacity through training courses.•Build a network of AIR professionals and foster collaboration with industries and communities.
Artificial intelligence and robotics (AIR) are revolutionizing various sectors, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Developing countries like Jordan and Lebanon face economic slowdowns and high unemployment, risks exacerbated by AIR technologies automating jobs and shifting production to tech-advanced nations. Engaging with AIR is vital for fostering economic growth and human prosperity.
<< Background >> Artificial intelligence and robotics (AIR) are revolutionizing various sectors, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Developing countries like Jordan and Lebanon face economic slowdowns and high unemployment, risks exacerbated by AIR technologies automating jobs and shifting production to tech-advanced nations. Engaging with AIR is vital for fostering economic growth and human prosperity. << Objectives >> •Develop new Master’s and bachelor’s programs specializing in AI, robotics, and smart robot applications.•Enhance existing programs in AIR-related fields.•Establish modern labs and implement innovative teaching methods.•Improve faculty capacity through training courses.•Build a network of AIR professionals and foster collaboration with industries and communities. << Implementation >> •Created specialized Master’s and bachelor’s programs in AIR in the University of Jordan and Tafila Technical University, respectively.•Improved curricula of existing AIR programs in five universities.•Established five modern AIR laboratories.•Implemented modern learning methods, e.g., flipped classroom and project-based learning.•Offered 82 AIR courses with 2,637 student enrollments (Fall 2022-Fall 2023).•Conducted 19 training courses for 324 faculty and 106 students. << Results >> •Graduates equipped with practical AIR skills.•Network of qualified professionals established.•Stronger collaboration with industry and communities for solving local and regional problems.For more information about this project, please DeCAIR website at http://decair.ju.edu.jo/Home.aspx