Fall 2025: Update on the Report of the Provost’s Task Force on AI Research

From: Brie Gertler, Interim Executive View President and Provost

I am writing to provide an update on the recommendations from the work of the Provost’s Task Force on AI Research, established by former Executive Vice President and Provost Ian Baucom. The purpose of the Task Force was to 

• Assess the AI research community at UVA;
• Determine whether the University should provide training on AI research ethics and fairness to all researchers;
• Consider whether policies on data and research need to be updated due to AI; and 
• Make recommendations about hardware, software, data, human, and organizational resources to support UVA AI research. 

The Task Force did a thorough assessment, including both qualitative and quantitative analysis. They assessed the UVA research landscape, studied initiatives and research at other universities and organizations, and considered UVA’s infrastructure and needs. They made numerous recommendations about computing resources, strategy, developing an AI Research center or institute, increasing awareness of ethical and legal issues related to AI, improving data integration, and other issues. 

The Task Force report was presented to the Provost’s Advisory Committee on AI and at a Deans Meeting with the provost. It was also discussed at the University-wide Research Retreat in August 2024 and at the University Leadership Meeting in November 2024. 

• Increasing the base-budget for Research Computing and making additional one-time investments in both hardware and staff. Research Computing is now well positioned to grow its service capacity as demand grows, based on a cost-recovery plan.
• Implementing a “Dedicated Computing” solution in Research Computing to help manage the mix of centralized and fully-shared computing resources. 
• Establishing several AI research hubs to advance research in specific domains. These include the LaCross Institute for Ethical AI in Business, the National Security Data and Policy Institute, and the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab. Others hubs are beginning to coalesce, particularly in the area of AI and Health/Medicine. 
• Providing 11 Commonwealth Chairs in AI to seven schools to support external recruiting. 
• Launching the AI Catalyst program to provide current faculty with an opportunity to develop AI-related skills and knowledge to advance their research.
• Establishing an AI@UVA website to increase the visibility of AI across the University. 

In fall semester 2025, we will establish AI Research@UVA. As recommended by the Task Force, the mission of this center will be to 1) advance, coordinate, and expand AI research at UVA; 2) foster interdisciplinary research efforts that advance research leveraging AI approaches and capabilities broadly across the University; and 3) increase the visibility and impact of AI-based research at UVA. A current faculty member will be selected to lead these efforts, with support provided by the provost office.  The director will serve as an advisor to the provost, VPR, and president on AI research strategy. The center will have an advisory board to provide input and guidance from across the University. 

We look forward to sharing additional initiatives as they develop. In the meantime, please join me in thanking the Provost’s Task Force on AI Research for their hard work and wise guidance.