At the February 2026 Board of Regents meeting, a panel of UW–Madison researchers lead off an afternoon presentation on how Universities of Wisconsin schools are on the leading edge of artificial intelligence innovation. 

Kyle Cranmer, director of UW–Madison’s Data Science Institute and RISE-AI Collaboration HQ lead, provided an overview of RISE-AI, launched in early 2024.  The “North Star” guiding the initiative is for UW–Madison to serve as a trusted partner, for Wisconsin and the nation, in navigating the opportunities and complex issues that AI raises. More than 50 new faculty have been hired through the initiative, representing the breadth of the university and integrating with existing faculty pursuing the study of AI. 

The work of RISE-AI is organized around three main pillars: research, education and engagement. 

Highlighting the research pillar, Hannah Wayment-Steele, professor of biochemistry in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, spoke about using AI to study the dynamic movements of proteins, which could have implications for drug discovery and more.  Wayment-Steele co-leads Madison AI for Proteins, which is a research team supported by the RISE-AI Collaboration HQ.

Jeremy Morris, professor of media and cultural studies in the Department of Communication Arts whose research focuses on the social and cultural effects of AI, spoke about the education pillar. UW–Madison received a $720,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to launch the Center for Humanistic Inquiry into AI and Uncertainty, which is serving as a hub for collaboration across several schools and colleges. Morris is a member of the RISE-AI Collaboration HQ Executive Team.

Speaking to the engagement pillar, Courtney Bell, professor of education psychology in the School of Education, illustrated how she is using AI in teaching, workforce development and research. Her work focuses on how to balance AI’s capabilities with its constraints to enhance innovative teaching and learning while remaining focused on ensuring students have access to a high-quality education. Bell is also a member of the RISE-AI Collaboration HQ Executive Team.