The AI Institutes at Michigan (AIIM), in partnership with the Office of the Vice President for Research, MIDAS, and the Office of the Provost, hosted its second AI Research Summit for Academic Leadership on Wednesday, October 28. Bringing together deans, department chairs, and university leaders across diverse fields—from robotics and neurosurgery to history and the arts—the event focused on shaping the University of Michigan’s long-term strategy for AI in research and education. University leaders, including Interim VP Patricia Hurn, President Domenico Grasso, and Provost Laurie McCauley, provided opening remarks during the event.
The summit featured lightning talks and small-group discussions centered on departmental five-year AI visions, operational challenges, and evolving institutional practices and culture. MIDAS postdoctoral researchers, affiliates, and African Faculty Fellows played a key role during the event by listening to table discussions, taking notes, and compiling participant takeaways.
MIDAS data scientists used the notes to identify key themes from the discussion, including flexible policy frameworks, equitable access to computing tools, cross-unit collaboration, and keeping human judgment central to key decisions. Additionally, AIIM announced the 2027 Empowering Research with AI Awards, offering grants between $1,000 and $3,000 for innovative projects across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses, with submissions open through January 17, 2027.
