Center for Responsible AI (CRAI)

Virginia State University’s Center for Responsible AI (CRAI) stands as a beacon of leadership and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Envisioned by President Makola M. Abdullah and inaugural director Gabriella Waters, the Center was founded to ensure AI is woven thoughtfully and equitably into the fabric of education, research, and public life at Virginia State University and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Center for Responsible AI is more than a research hub, it is the University’s commitment to harnessing AI for good, grounded in the highest ethical standards and focused on real-world impact for students, communities, and industry partners.

Leading the AI Revolution Responsibly

The Center for Responsible AI (CRAI) at Virginia State University is at the forefront of advancing innovative research to transform technology and shaping policies in artificial intelligence. The CRAI leverages interdisciplinary collaboration across every academic division to serve as a premier hub where students, faculty, and researchers drive the evolution of AI in ways that benefit society locally, statewide, and beyond.

Get Involved

Whether you're a student, researcher, industry leader, or policymaker, the Center for Responsible AI welcomes you to join our mission. Explore partnerships, participate in research, and help shape a future where artificial intelligence is developed and implemented ethically and responsibly.

About the Center

The Center for Responsible AI was established in the Fall 2025 with the charge of guiding the responsible development and application of AI at Virginia State. The Center is driven by President Abdullah’s vision of a campus and a state where AI amplifies opportunity and inclusion, not division. Gabriella Waters, the Center's Director, brings her expertise as an AI researcher to make certain that the Center’s founding ethos is one of intentionality, collaboration, and accountability. The Center for Responsible AI convenes faculty, researchers, thought leaders, practitioners, and policymakers to create an environment where innovations meet the real needs of society to address pressing challenges in Virginia and beyond.

Mission & Vision

Mission & Vision

Our mission is clear: to drive groundbreaking AI research, cultivate transformative innovation, and influence policies that prepare Virginia to lead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. We envision a dynamic ecosystem where pioneering research, robust solutions, and policy leadership situate both Virginia State University, and Virginia as a whole, as powerhouses in AI innovation.

Research Areas

The Center’s research foci span:

  • Agriculture & Environment: AI-driven solutions for sustainable farming and ecological stewardship.
  • AI & Machine Learning: Developing advanced algorithms and intelligent systems.
  • Cybersecurity: Safeguarding data, infrastructure, and privacy in an AI-driven world.
  • Healthcare: Leveraging AI for improved outcomes and innovation in medical fields.
  • Quantum Computing & AI Integration: Exploring the frontiers where quantum technologies meet artificial intelligence.

Policy & Governance

We provide science-based advisement to strengthen policy at the local, state, national, and international levels. Areas of focus include:

  • AI governance and regulatory frameworks
  • Digital equity
  • Data privacy and security
  • Responsible AI in smart cities, public administration, and law
  • Sustainability and conservation

AI Education

The CRAI is deeply committed to preparing the next generation of leaders in artificial intelligence through a comprehensive, multi-level educational strategy:

 
  • K–12 Education and Outreach: Inspiring future innovators through hands-on STEM and AI programs designed to build foundational skills and spark interest early and often.
  • Undergraduate Education: Providing students across disciplines with opportunities to engage in AI-focused coursework, collaborative projects, and research experiences that integrate technical rigor with ethical responsibility.
  • Graduate Programs: Advancing specialized knowledge in AI through master’s and doctoral-level research to equip students to push the boundaries of discovery and tackle real-world challenges.
  • Postdoctoral Training: Supporting advanced scholars with mentorship, resources, and access to interdisciplinary collaborations that accelerate breakthroughs in responsible AI research and applications.

The CRAI ensures that learners at every stage are equipped with the skills and values needed to responsibly shape the future of artificial intelligence by building a strong educational pipeline from K–12 through postdoctoral study.

Workforce Development

The Center is committed to comprehensive workforce development, including:

  • AI skills training programs
  • K-12 STEM outreach initiatives
  • Industry partnerships and internships
  • Entrepreneurship support in AI and emerging technologies

 

Partnerships & Industry Impact

Strategic collaborations with industry and academia drive the development of ethical, responsive technologies. The Center’s leadership aims to cement Virginia’s reputation as a hub for AI innovation that attracts top talent, funding, and transformative companies that contribute to economic growth.

Contact

Have questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to the Center for Responsible AI at Virginia State University: CRAI@vsu.edu

Center for Responsible AI Resources

Center for Responsible AI Center for Responsible AI AI Living Labs Network Center for Responsible AI Staff Cognitive and Neurodiversity AI (CoNA) Lab AI Metrology Working Group Robotics and Digital Twin (RaDiT) Lab

Contact Us

Have questions or want to collaborate? Reach out to the Center for Responsible AI at Virginia State University.

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