The Texas A&M Energy Institute is proud to announce that it has been selected for support by the Microsoft AI Economy Institute for a timely research project titled “The Evolving Role of Universities in the AI Era: Opportunities for Improving AI Literacy Through Microcredentials and Interdisciplinary Curriculum Design.”
The Microsoft AI Economy Institute (AIEI), launched earlier this summer, is a pioneering corporate think tank dedicated to advancing independent research and developing actionable solutions that can help societies worldwide positively adapt to the economic and social transformations brought by artificial intelligence. The institute convenes leading multidisciplinary experts from various sectors, including researchers, international organization specialists, business leaders, and policymakers, to address the critical questions of our time.
The awarded project is led by Dr. Bassel Daher, who has been selected as a Senior Fellow for the inaugural cohort of the Microsoft AI Economy Institute. The project seeks to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the growing gap between the skills demanded by an AI-driven economy and the training traditionally provided in higher education. It will explore how universities can better prepare students for the evolving workforce by weaving essential AI competencies such as big data analysis, machine learning, and AI ethics into the fabric of academic curricula. Emphasizing both micro-credentialing and interdisciplinary curriculum design, the research intends to not only pinpoint the most in-demand skills but also to develop holistic educational frameworks that blend foundational knowledge with targeted, specialized expertise.
We are witnessing a new, rapidly changing economy. Universities have a responsibility to be agile and play a key role in balancing foundational learning with micro-credential innovation. Our approach is rooted in evidence-based decision making, guided by analysis of more than 1.3 million job postings in 2024, to evaluate emerging skills and identify timely opportunities for universities to act.
Bassel Daher, Assistant Director for Sustainable Development, Texas A&M Energy Institute.
Supported by a multidisciplinary team spanning science, engineering, public policy, education, and human resource, including Kostas Pappas, Rabi Mohtar, Silva Hamie, Khalil Dirani, Mishaal Ashkanani, and Stratos Pistikopoulos. This collaboration with Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute, dedicated to advancing inclusive, actionable research at the intersection of technology, policy, and workforce development, underscores the commitment of both institutions to shaping a future in which academia and industry work hand in hand. Together, they aim to align higher education with workforce needs, strengthen academia-industry collaboration, and help shape policies for skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in the AI era.
With this partnership, the Texas A&M Energy Institute continues to champion innovation in education, ensuring the next generation of graduates are prepared for the opportunities of the AI-powered economy.