Provost Launches AI Initiative and Steering Committee at Duke University
Duke University is expanding its engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) through a new initiative led by Provost Alec D. Gallimore. This effort aims to support the diverse ways faculty, students, trainees, and staff interact with AI, while fostering collaboration across disciplines. The initiative also seeks to contribute thoughtfully to global discussions on AI’s potential and challenges.
Early in 2023, Gallimore envisioned a platform that would unite Duke’s academic leaders and faculty engaged in AI-related work. To lead this initiative, he appointed Yakut Gazi, vice provost for learning innovation and digital education; Michael Pencina, vice dean for data science and chief data scientist at the School of Medicine; and Joseph Salem, University Librarian and vice provost for library affairs.
What began as a small meeting quickly grew into Duke’s first AI Summit in April 2024. Over 230 faculty and administrators registered, with an additional 130 on the waitlist. The event drew participants from every school and unit, signaling strong interest in understanding AI’s impact, issues, and opportunities.
Four Pillars Define Duke’s AI Strategy
Following the summit, ongoing discussions with academic leaders and faculty led to the establishment of four pillars guiding AI research and application at Duke.
Life with AI
This pillar explores AI’s effects on society, culture, and daily life. Topics include teaching and learning, the future of work, concepts of knowledge and humanity, AI’s influence on democratic systems, human-AI partnerships, and its role in social media.
Trustworthy and Responsible AI
Ethics, transparency, and accountability are central here. While enthusiasm for AI’s potential is high, this pillar emphasizes careful scrutiny of AI's societal impact, especially in sensitive areas like healthcare. Duke is building an interdisciplinary cluster to advance privacy, data integrity, and responsible AI practices.
Sustainability in AI
This pillar is committed to reducing AI’s environmental footprint by developing sustainable tools, frameworks, and cloud platforms. Quantum computing is identified as a potential area for investment to support environmentally responsible AI in line with Duke’s Climate Commitment.
Advancing Discovery with AI
Focused on accelerating scientific breakthroughs, this pillar supports developing AI algorithms and models that analyze complex data, uncover patterns, and predict trends across scientific fields.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
In spring 2025, Duke formed a steering committee along with four advisory committees aligned with the pillars. More than 60 faculty and staff from various disciplines contribute to shaping Duke’s AI priorities and strategies. Additional working groups will further advance Duke’s leadership in AI.
The steering committee is co-chaired by Yakut Gazi, Michael Pencina, and Joseph Salem. The advisory committees are led by faculty chairs:
- Life with AI: Chris Bail, professor of sociology and computer science
- Trustworthy and Responsible AI: Nita Farahany, Robinson O. Everett Distinguished Professor of Law & Philosophy
- Sustainability in AI: Ricardo Henao, associate professor in biostatistics & bioinformatics and electrical & computer engineering
- Advancing Discovery with AI: Victoria Szabo, research professor of art, art history & visual studies and director of the Information Science + Studies Certificate Program
"Duke's teaching, research, and service should address the world's biggest challenges and help improve the human condition," said Gallimore. "AI presents one of the biggest opportunities and challenges we will face in the coming years. While recent advances are significant, they can also create new challenges or worsen existing inequities."
"Our AI initiative is collaborative and interdisciplinary because the most difficult challenges arise at the intersections of fields."
Get Involved and Learn More
Duke already hosts extensive AI-related activity and has launched a new website as a resource to explore ongoing projects, conversations, and events across its schools and units. To learn more about Duke’s AI initiative, visit their AI website.
For professionals looking to build AI skills to engage with such initiatives, exploring comprehensive training can be valuable. Resources like Complete AI Training’s latest courses offer practical options for deepening AI expertise.
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