UAB Community,
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how universities educate, discover, deliver care, and operate. To ensure UAB advances this work responsibly and strategically, we are launching the UAB Artificial Intelligence Strategic Initiative (AISI), which will be led through a centrally organized AI Integration Hub in the Office of the President.
AISI represents a coordinated, enterprise-wide effort to understand and capture our current AI activities, identify opportunities at the local and enterprise level and establish structures and guidance necessary for the safe, ethical and mission aligned use of AI across our academic, research, clinical, and administrative functions. This integrated approach will allow us to harness the power of AI to benefit UAB's mission and priorities while preserving transparency, privacy, accountability and the integrity of human judgement.
Leadership
The office of the president has established this strategic initiative, which will be led by Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Artificial Intelligence Integration Chandni Khadka.
This work will be guided by the AI Leadership Team and supported by AI leads across our academic, research, clinical, and administrative functions. Through this initiative we will continue to partner with UAB IT and Health System Information System (HSIS), as well as existing governance committees including IT Governance, Compliance, HIPAA Advisory, Data Governance, Clinical AI Review, IRB, academic integrity bodies and others. We will also identify where new or enhanced governance/policy structures may be needed to ensure AI efforts remain aligned with mission, strategy, regulation, and institutional values.
Approach
We are working to develop a strategic roadmap supported by regular transparent communication, identification and facilitation of cross-pillar collaboration, and an integrated registry process for current and proposed AI tools and project ideas.
We will focus on efforts that:
- Ensures visibility to approved AI tools and their capabilities
- Align and connect AI efforts across the enterprise
- Accelerate discovery, strengthen learning, and enhance patient care
- Equip our workforce and students to thrive in an AI-enabled environment
- Advance operational excellence through thoughtful innovation
- Uphold the highest standards of ethics, access, transparency, and trust
Updates will be communicated at least quarterly, and an annual AI activities report will be generated to keep our community informed about progress, risk posture, and measurable outcomes. We have also developed a website to provide visibility into AI efforts and offer a centralized resource hub for those seeking information, guidance, or support.
This structure will strengthen UAB's position as a responsible, mission-driven leader in an evolving AI landscape. Together, we will ensure that AI enhances learning, advances discovery, improves patient care, and supports the people and communities we serve.
If you have questions about the initiative, please contact Chandni Khadka at
Thank you for all you do to advance our mission on behalf of the people we serve.
Sincerely,
Ray Watts, M.D.
President
This message was sent to the UAB community on May 4, 2026.