AI + Creative & Performing Arts
AI and Music: The Social and the Analytical
Bienen School of Music’s Professor Daniel Shanahan explores the computational modeling of the musical experience.
About Our Network
A backbone of modern innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science are central to advancing research, education, and translational impact in nearly every field of inquiry. Offering powerful methods for modeling, prediction, and decision-making, these disciplines allow us to extract insights from complex, high-dimensional data to fuel new discoveries and transformative solutions to tackle global grand challenges.
The Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence (NNCI) is a vibrant community of experts dedicated to advancing responsible, high-impact, world-class research and education in data science and AI. We are harnessing Northwestern’s unparallelled interdisciplinary culture and uniting the strengths of the University’s top schools to build dynamic partnerships around and beyond campus.
AI + X
Harnessing AI and data science to innovate across industries and disciplines
Through our collaborative ecosystem, we are catalyzing breakthroughs in foundational science and real-world, domain-specific applications of AI and data science across STEM fields, the arts, and the humanities. We aim to redefine the future of collaborative intelligence by establishing Northwestern as the global epicenter where human ingenuity and AI solve society’s most urgent challenges.
Here are just a few highlights of our network in action:
AI + Education & Learning Sciences
Center for Technology, Policy, and Opportunity
Launching in fall 2025, the center will lead initiatives at the intersections of technology, society, and policy — including high school electives, undergraduate microcredentials, and graduate certificates and degrees.
AI + Medicine
Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
I.AIM bridges computational methods with human expertise to advance medical science and improve human health.
AI + Communication & Journalism
Knight Lab
The team of technologists and journalists at the Knight Lab are working on solution-oriented projects advancing news media innovation, including AI art generation, AI editorial model training, and automated live streaming data dashboards.
AI + Law, Policy, & Geopolitics
Northwestern Law and Technology Initiative
The initiative leads research and development projects with law and legal-services delivery partners and hosts events at the intersection of law and technology.
AI + Business & Decision-Making
Ryan Institute on Complexity
The Ryan Institute harnesses the power of big data and AI to address complex challenges, while providing students with an understanding of powerful new quantitative approaches to problem solving.
AI + Astronomy
SkAi Institute
Jointly funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation, the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI) will develop AI tools and accelerate astronomy’s data-driven revolution.
These are a few examples of our network in action. What's your DS/AI + X impact story? Collaborate with our network and push the boundaries of what's possible.
Facts & Figures
Setting ourselves apart
200+
faculty actively engaged in AI work
8
top-ranked Northwestern schools driving interdisciplinary collaborations
51
educational programs equipping the next generation of workers and researchers
Education
Equipping our students for the evolving demands of the workforce
We are committed to ensuring that students at every level have access to an educational background in data science and AI through program offerings and resources.
Undergraduate Study
Explore Northwestern’s undergraduate programs with a focus on artificial intelligence and data science, including majors, minors, and certificates from departments across the University.
Graduate Study
Browse graduate level programs including master's, PhD, and certificate programs designed to advance expertise and launch careers in artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning.
Professional Education
Discover programs in artificial intelligence, analytics, and data strategy that empower professionals to leverage emerging technologies, lead strategic change, and advance their careers.
News & Events
Explore the latest happenings
News
The New Co-Founder? How Northwestern Startup Founders Are Thinking with AI
October 16, 2025
from
The Garage at Northwestern
At this week’s Family Dinner at The Garage, startup founders in the Residency Program gathered to share how they’re using AI to optimize workflows, sharpen their ideas, and expand their impact as builders.
AI Models Predict Sepsis in Children
October 13, 2025
from
Northwestern Now
Scientists at Northwestern University and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago developed and validated AI models that accurately identify children at high risk for sepsis within 48 hours, so they can receive early preemptive care.
Events
Nov
3
2025
AI Policy Speaker: Felix Hu
5:30 PMAnnenberg Hall, 2120 Campus Drive
Northwestern's Center for Responsible Technology, Policy, and Public Dialogue is continuing its speaker series this comi...
Nov
4
2025
Watering Hole Seminar Series: Gina Ramirez
4:30 PMFord Motor Company Engineering Design Center, 2133 Sheridan Road
This Month: Lead lines and environmental justice
Join Gina Ramirez, an award-winning Southeast Side Community activist,...
Nov
5
2025
WED@NICO SEMINAR: Julio M. Ottino, Northwestern University "From Clocks to Clouds: The Complexity Revolution"
12:00 PMChambers Hall, 600 Foster St
Speaker:
Julio M. Ottino, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, McCormick School of Enginee...