The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland (UMD) has joined Deloitte to launch the Deloitte Initiative for AI and Learning (DIAL), an artificial intelligence (AI) research initiative to help expand learning and development opportunities for faculty and students across the university's various colleges. UMD, Maryland's flagship educational institution, is a recognized leader in AI, data analytics and research. DIAL will be based within UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business and will build upon previous Deloitte and Smith collaborations, such as the Smith Analytics Consortium. Funding for DIAL was provided by the Deloitte AI Institute for Government. "The DIAL program enables Smith and Deloitte to continue their critical collaborations at the forefront of cutting-edge research and emerging technology," said Wedad Elmaghraby, Dean's Professor of Operations Management at UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

The Smith School of Business at Queen's University has introduced Canada's very first Fintech Masters course. According to the Smith School of Business, the course has been designed mainly for financial or tech professionals who are already working in the industry. The first Master of Financial Innovation and Technology (MFIT) program will reportedly begin in November of this year. The courses will be delivered during the evening and there will also be some sessions held over the weekends. Graduates of the Fintech Masters program can expect to receive professional training in data science, finance, and emerging machine learning (ML) technologies.