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UW–Madison’s first new college in more than four decades will explore and inform technological change for societal benefit.
CAI is not starting from scratch but brings together three established departments: Computer Sciences, the Information School, and Statistics. These departments have a proven track record of educating students and advancing research, including launching the successful data science major. The creation of the college provides a unified structure to expand on these strengths, recognizing that society is undergoing a significant technological transformation. Universities are uniquely positioned to study these changes and help society navigate them, and CAI aims to fulfill this responsibility by providing leadership in the computing age.
Computing is maturing, and the focus is shifting beyond mere technological capabilities to questions of how technology should be developed, utilized, and benefit society responsibly. Universities like UW–Madison, especially through CAI, have a crucial role in being trusted voices during this time of skepticism. The college aims to foster an environment where difficult questions are welcomed, ideas are challenged, and students learn to build technology with sound judgment. Guided by the Wisconsin Idea, CAI seeks to engage researchers, students, industry, government, and communities to collectively address pressing issues and shape thoughtful solutions for the future of AI.
As a college, CAI can now adopt a holistic approach to education and research, moving beyond individual programs to integrate all academic endeavors. This includes intentionally designing educational programs, such as new majors and degree pathways, to prepare students for a future where computing and AI are fundamental across all disciplines. The college plans to hire 50 new faculty members, some with joint appointments, to strengthen both teaching and research. Moreover, it provides a stronger platform for new research partnerships with other UW–Madison departments (like medicine, engineering, agriculture, business, and arts) and industry, promoting innovation at the intersection of various fields. This new structure enables more ambitious thinking about how education, research, and partnerships can create a lasting impact for Wisconsin and globally.
The founding dean hopes that in two decades, CAI will be recognized for thoughtfully shaping the technological era, for its significant discoveries, meaningful partnerships, and advanced research. More importantly, the aspiration is that people will highlight the students, noting that CAI prepared generations of graduates who not only deeply understood technology but also possessed the judgment, curiosity, and courage to apply it wisely. These graduates are envisioned to improve healthcare, advance science, serve communities, educate others, and solve unforeseen problems. Ultimately, success will be measured by the exceptional people educated and their impact worldwide, not just by technological creations.