Associate Professor or Professor, Director of the Arts and Humanities Artificial Intelligence Institute

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio State University seeks the James Mitchell Endowed Chair who will be a center director to provide ambitious and innovative leadership for its newly established Arts and Humanities Artificial Intelligence Institute (AHAII). The aim is to make Ohio State a national hub in the conversation about what it means to be human in the age of AI. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027. The director will serve as the administrative head of an emerging and thriving institute, with oversight of facilities, budget, and strategic direction. In addition to their role as the institute leader and administrator, the director will also be a dedicated teacher and distinguished scholar, with a record of accomplishment to merit a tenure-track appointment in an Arts or Humanities department as an advanced Associate Professor or Professor. The new director is expected to foster a collegial and interdisciplinary culture among a community of faculty, staff, and students from varied disciplinary backgrounds. They will be an advocate for the institute and its affiliated faculty and students, providing support and mentorship for scholarly activity while amplifying the voice of the arts and humanities in conversations around AI. Applying their knowledge in developing approaches, manifestations, and discourse tied to matters of AI, the director will guide institute affiliates, outreach endeavors, and student education. The director will have the opportunity to shape renovation plans for AHAII in Hughes Hall, a historic building on the oval and future home of our English Department. The director should be poised to engage with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to build collaborations with arts and humanities departments and interdisciplinary initiatives across the College of Arts and Sciences and the broader university community, Ohio State’s five regional campuses, and community organizations in Ohio and beyond. The successful candidate will be a dedicated educator and a recognized scholar and/or practitioner with expertise in one or more scholarly areas involving artificial intelligence and arts or humanities and will have a 50% FTE (Full Time Equivalent) faculty appointment in an appointment in one of the 21 Arts and Humanities departments in the College of Arts and Sciences with the other 50% FTE appointment as AHAII director.

Requirements

Applicants are expected to have an appropriate terminal degree in an area of specialty sufficient to warrant appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure.
National/international record of scholarly or artistic achievement in AI, arts and/or humanities commensurate with the position of advanced Associate Professor or Professor at the Ohio State University, including a distinguished record of creative or scholarly achievement, teaching excellence at the post-secondary level, and professional service; and evidence of continued excellence in creative and/or scholarly achievement. Equivalent outstanding achievement in industry will also be considered.
Demonstrated and effective leadership and administrative experience in academia.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate positive work relationships with students, colleagues, and staff.
Experience in leading and the ability to work successfully across disciplines within a diverse and complex organization.
Experience with interdisciplinary collaborations, for example those with other academic units, community partners, and professional academic/arts and humanities organizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fundraising, budgeting, and management.
Experience managing an academic program, department, or center.

Responsibilities

To provide steady yet innovative leadership to AHAII.
To support fundraising efforts in partnership with OSU Advancement.
Initiating and partnering on writing grants and exploring industry connections to support AHAII.
To manage budgets, resources, and space for the institute.
To coordinate arts, humanities, and artificial intelligence initiatives in teaching, scholarship, and engagement in and beyond the college.
To help faculty, students, and staff thrive in their roles through leadership, mentoring, and professional development.
To advocate for the institute to units around the university, community, and broader academic field.
To lead engagement efforts with communities and public/private organizations in and beyond Central Ohio.