About MIDAS
The Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS) advances data science and AI and enables their transformative use across disciplines to achieve lasting scientific and societal impact.
With more than 750 affiliated faculty members from all schools and colleges at the U-M Ann Arbor campus, as well as from U-M Dearborn and U-M Flint, MIDAS is one of the largest data science and AI institutes at a U.S. university.
MIDAS is also home to a vibrant community of more than 1,000 students and postdocs and 180 staff scientists who collaborate across 70 campus units through the Staff Collective for Data Science. Faculty, staff, and students help shape and lead MIDAS programs, driving innovation and advancing the impact of data science and AI through partnerships across U-M and beyond.
MIDAS offers a comprehensive portfolio of research, training, and partnership development programs.
Research at MIDAS
MIDAS supports the development of data science and AI methods, and their adoption to enable breakthroughs across all fields of research. We support data science / AI research initiatives of departments on campus, as well as faculty research ideas and team building. We lead strategic initiatives such as the NSF-funded Center for Data-Driven Drug Development and Treatment Assessment, and serve as a hub for AI policy, ethics, and societal impact. MIDAS strengthens research capacity through the Propelling Original Data Science pilot grants, the AI Sandbox, and research consultations that accelerate discovery. MIDAS is also a strong proponent of responsible, reproducible, and ethical data science and AI and runs a national training program on rigor and reproducibility.
Training at MIDAS
MIDAS empowers researchers to advance their skills in data science and AI through a myriad training activities. Year-round workshops and summer academies help faculty and staff apply cutting-edge methods across disciplines. Our world-class postdoctoral programs, including the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowships, the Michigan Data Science Fellows Program, and the Postdoc Affiliate Program, form the core of a vibrant and collaborative community of emerging data science and AI leaders on campus. MIDAS also runs the the Graduate Data Science Certificate and supports student-led research teams that emphasize real-world experience.
Partnership for Societal Impact
MIDAS builds partnerships across industry, academia, government, and communities to advance data science and AI for the public good. Starting from our Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI for Science African Faculty Fellows Program, we collaborate with researchers and institutions to bring the benefits of AI to the Global South. MIDAS faculty and students work closely with the City of Detroit, Michigan’s Native American tribal nations, and other organizations to support data-driven decision-making and translate research into impactful products, services, and policies. As a member of the NSF Midwest Big Data Hub and a founding member of the Alliance of Data Science and AI, MIDAS provides leadership that drives innovation and societal benefit.
MIDAS at 10
In 2025, MIDAS celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special publication reflecting on our evolution from a bold new initiative into one of the nation’s largest data science and AI institutes. Over the past decade, our impact has been defined not only by what we’ve achieved, but by the collaborative community that made it possible.
The publication offers a snapshot of this journey, highlighting our research community; major scientific advances; postdoctoral and training programs; cross-sector partnerships; commitments to responsible research; and the use of data and AI for social good, alongside select research highlights from the past 10 years.
Annual Highlights
MIDAS advances cross-cutting research in data science theory, methodology and applications. We provide leadership in research best practices, including reproducible data science and ethical data science. We enable research through pilot funding, training and dataset access. We facilitate groundbreaking ideas and foster collaboration through research working groups and other research incubation events.
Contact Us
Michigan Institute for Data & AI in Society
For research-related questions: [email protected]
For questions related to faculty training programs and postdoc programs: [email protected]
For questions related to the Graduate Data Science Certificate program: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
Weiser Hall
500 Church Street, Suite 600
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1042