Brown University Names Its First Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University has appointed Michael Littman, a seasoned computer science professor, as its inaugural associate provost for artificial intelligence. This new position reflects the university's commitment to addressing the growing influence of AI technologies across research, education, and operations.
Starting in July, Littman’s role focuses on supporting AI-related research, creating interdisciplinary opportunities for student engagement, advising university departments on AI integration, and collaborating with external organizations to enhance the impact of Brown's AI initiatives.
“Brown took an interesting approach by entrusting one person to oversee various AI-related areas,” Littman said. “Many institutions assign separate roles for research or teaching, but unifying these responsibilities under a single position offers a comprehensive perspective.”
Littman brings extensive experience to the role. His career spans decades of AI and machine learning research, along with a recent three-year tenure as division director for information and intelligent systems at the National Science Foundation. There, he managed an annual budget of $200 million dedicated to AI research funding. He also chaired the One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence in 2021, a multidisciplinary project that evaluates the state of AI every five years.
Early Priorities: AI in the Classroom
When asked about his initial focus, Littman highlighted the use of AI in education as a key priority. Faculty and students at Brown have exhibited a range of responses—from enthusiastic adoption and creative integration to concern and resistance.
“Avoiding AI use in education isn’t realistic,” Littman explained. “We’re gathering input from faculty, staff, and students through a dedicated committee. Although preliminary guidance has already been issued, we aim to release a formal policy by the end of the year.”
Committee Insights and Guidance
The committee has begun its work by collectively reading the book Teaching with AI, which offers practical perspectives on incorporating AI tools into academic work. A notable takeaway is the difficulty of prohibiting AI use and the need to rethink grading standards.
“If AI can produce work that typically earns a C-plus or B-minus, those grades may no longer represent acceptable performance,” Littman noted. “This shifts the baseline, encouraging students and AI to collaborate to achieve higher-quality results. It’s a fresh perspective we are exploring.”
Brown’s initiative to appoint a dedicated associate provost for AI and to actively engage the academic community signals a practical approach to integrating AI into education and research. For those interested in AI training and courses that enhance skills in this field, resources such as Complete AI Training’s latest courses can provide valuable support.
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