November 6, 2024
Colleagues,
We are living in an exciting time in which recent advancements in artificial intelligence have created unique opportunities for innovation across nearly every sector. As AI rapidly transforms our world, it is crucial that the University of Nebraska positions itself as a leader in this new era.
Effectively harnessing the power and potential of AI is an important step on our journey to extraordinary, and today, I’d like to share with you two initiatives that will bring us closer to that goal.
First, the University of Nebraska has formed a new system-wide AI task force. Each of our campuses is actively building AI-related programs and using AI to drive teaching and innovation. The task force will work to understand opportunities for collaboration across our campuses and identify areas of shared strength. Members of the task force are:
University of Nebraska System
David Jackson, Ph.D. (Chair)
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
Bret Blackman
Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Laura Gonnerman (Observer)
Associate General Counsel
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Megan Adkins, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Engagement and Retention
David Arredondo
Collection Services Librarian
Timothy Bartling
Director of Academic Technology
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Mohammad Rashedul Hasan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence
Scout Calvert, Ph.D.
Chair, Research Partnerships, University Libraries
Sydney Brown, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Center for Transformative Teaching
Santosh Pitla, Ph.D.
Professor, Biological Systems Engineering
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Cassie Mallette
Program Manager, AI Learning Lab, Senior Instructional Designer
Robin Gandhi, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research, College of Information Science and Technology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Emily Glenn
Dean, Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library
Howard Fox, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences
Chad Vokoun, M.D.
Division Chief for Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine
Second, I’d like to invite you to participate a system-wide AI inventory survey. The survey, which was designed by the AI task force members, seeks to enhance our understanding of how artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, is integrated across research, education, and engagement efforts across the University of Nebraska.
This survey will help us assess the breadth and depth of current AI-related efforts, identify challenges, and explore future opportunities, ensuring that the University remains at the forefront of AI research, education, and community engagement.
Your input is invaluable as we work together to embrace the potential of AI and maintain the University of Nebraska’s leadership in this transformative field. Thank you for your time and contributions.
Sincerely,
