The University of Alberta is a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence, according to the latest Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
The U of A was ranked fifth worldwide and second in Canada for AI this year — the first time artificial intelligence has been included in the prominent subject rankings.
"This latest recognition for the University of Alberta as one of the world's top institutions in artificial intelligence is further evidence of the exceptional research and teaching talent we have, and the close connections we have forged with partners who share our goal of advancing this technology," says Bill Flanagan, president and vice-chancellor, adding that artificial intelligence is one of the U of A's areas of established global excellence outlined in Shape, the university's strategic plan of impact.
With expertise now spanning diverse disciplines far beyond AI's origins in computer science, U of A researchers are harnessing the technology to help cities save energy costs by mapping wind flow, design a blueprint for an anti-cancer vaccine, solve health-care challenges and even help diagnose and treat ADHD in kindergartners.
Flanagan notes that the university is home to 24 Canada CIFAR AI Chairs and has a long-standing relationship with the world-leading Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), one of Canada's three national AI institutes.
"As AI transforms every aspect of society, the impact of our collective efforts will be of benefit to everyone," he says.
Along with AI, its highest-ranked subject, the U of A counted seven other subjects among the Top 50 in the world, with many ranking as the top programs in Canada:
- Biological sciences was ranked 21st in the world and first in Canada, up from 29th worldwide and second in Canada last year.
- Automation and control ranked 22nd in the world and second in Canada.
- Agricultural sciences placed 25th in the world and first in Canada
- Earth sciences came in at 34th in the world and first in Canada
- Public health moved up to 42nd in the world and fifth in Canada, after ranking 76-100 in the world and 7-8 in Canada last year.
- Instruments science and technology was ranked 44th in the world and first in Canada.
- Nursing, a perennial top performer in national and global rankings, placed 45th in the world and third in Canada.
Along with automation and instruments science, other U of A engineering programs also saw noteworthy results, with seven subjects moving up in the rankings and five placing among the Top 3 in Canada: chemical engineering (1st), metallurgical engineering (1-2), electrical and electronic engineering (2-3) and mechanical engineering (2-3).
"These are remarkable rankings for all three faculties within the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and across the university," says Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, dean and vice provost of CNAS. "These rankings are a testament to the extraordinary people at the U of A, the researchers and their staff and students who drive leading-edge research and provide exceptional learning opportunities for students. They are transforming the world for the better."
These results are the latest in a string of rankings and awards recognizing the university's expertise in AI. Last June, U.S. News ranked the U of A first in Canada and 53rd worldwide for artificial intelligence in its Best Global Universities Rankings. And in March, computing science professor Richard Sutton was a co-recipient of the 2024 A.M. Turing Award, regarded as the "Nobel Prize in computing," for his groundbreaking achievements as a founder of modern computational reinforcement learning.
The Global Ranking of Academic Subjects evaluates universities across 57 subjects in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences and social sciences. The annual rankings are based on nine indicators of quality of faculty, research output and impact, and international collaboration.
