Pitt’s new AI hub to link up high-tech efforts across the University 

Pitt’s new Hub for AI and Data Science Leadership (HAIL) will unite AI efforts across campus. 

This month, Pitt launched HAIL, an initiative that aims to connect AI resources across the University and help guide proper AI usage for students and faculty. HAIL builds on Responsible Data Science, an existing initiative promoting collaboration and guidance with data-based and computational tools.

Michael Colaresi, director of HAIL, said the hub will assist with sharing information about AI amid increasing AI use on campus. 

“[Generative AI] has large implications and consequences for education,” Colaresi said. “The job of HAIL is to make sure we’re [using AI] responsibly. [HAIL is] here for everyone in the campus community.”

Colaresi said that with significant technological changes in recent years, people are having mixed feelings of excitement and uncertainty. He highlighted that HAIL would ensure everyone has support in all aspects of AI usage to give them confidence to pursue new approaches to using AI.

“We want to be leaders in the future, and we want to have a place where we can guide and orchestrate [AI] systems to be good in the world,” Colaresi said. “The need is for that connectivity — a network solution that doesn’t leave people alone.”

HAIL also aims to ensure AI education and curriculum at Pitt are relevant and valuable, so students can be well-trained in AI for future employers.

“When [undergrads] leave here, [HAIL will ensure] they have all of those skills and competencies to bring to their future careers,” Colaresi said.

Emily Durning, research and administrative assistant at HAIL, said she felt that transitioning from RDS to the hub makes sense because of AI’s increasing integration into the university.

“From my experience with RDS, it felt a little bit small for how much AI is being brought into all of the fields within the university,” Durning said. “I think this is a great time for this to be happening.”

Durning highlighted the importance of a large network for sharing AI resources in boosting innovation through better collaboration.

“[HAIL can] make sure everyone in the university is on the same page with different uses of AI,” Durning said. “We can make as much progress as we can in the same direction rather than it being very disjointed.”

Joanna Wang, a senior computer science major, said she disagrees with class syllabi that restrict AI use and hopes that education about AI through HAIL can help promote further AI usage.  

“In [class policies], people say, ‘We do not use AI,’ but why? I think [HAIL] is a place for people to understand why [we use AI],” Wang said. “We’re trying to promote education about AI and about RDS.”

Wang said she feels HAIL will be a popular initiative that can promote responsible use of technology. 

“I think the existence of HAIL is going to collect everyone from different aspects of the university to listen from all perspectives,” Wang said. “We’re broadening the scope [of RDS] to reflect the rapidly changing landscape of AI and data science.”