Michael Colaresi will lead Pitt’s new Hub for AI and Data Science Leadership

Building upon the strong foundation created through the Responsible Data Science (RDS) initiative and many efforts to harness AI across the University, Pitt is launching a new academic Hub for AI and Data Science Leadership (HAIL). The hub will serve as an academic convening point for artificial intelligence and data science efforts and will facilitate collaboration across teaching, learning and other academic operations.

Michael Colaresi, currently associate vice provost for data science, will lead HAIL as its inaugural director and serve as a strategic advisor to the provost, effective Jan. 1.

In this expanded leadership role, Colaresi will not only guide and coordinate University-wide work advancing Pitt as a leader in academic usage and development of AI, but he will also engage with other leaders across the institution - in research, operations, the health sciences and infrastructure - to promote a unified strategic vision that ensures the entire campus community is prepared to responsibly and ethically lead into the future.

HAIL will fulfill the growing need for coordination of complementary expertise and experience across campus as well as the sharing of evolving best practices. The hub will:

• Unify and strengthen existing AI- and data science-related activities across Pitt's academic mission.
• Convene and connect researchers, practitioners, and academic units to support responsible, innovative applications of AI.
• Engage with shared governance, especially with the Senate Educational Policies Committee, the Student Admission, Aid and Affairs Committee, and the Student Government Board.
• Expand upon current RDS work, incorporating its people, resources, and commitments while broadening the scope to reflect the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and data science.

By intentionally linking Pitt's diverse and highly impactful AI-related initiatives, HAIL will catalyze a research-practitioner community of practice that accelerates innovation and promotes responsible, human-centered AI.

"Under Mike's leadership, this new hub will advance Pitt's academic mission, support our students, network together faculty and staff across disciplines, and contribute meaningfully to the broader societal conversation on the responsible use and development of AI," said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joe McCarthy.

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski