Artificial Intelligence Task Force

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It is a reality that permeates nearly every aspect of society. From healthcare and finance to education and mobility, AI is transforming industries and creating new opportunities.

As a leading public research university, U of M is working to equip its faculty, staff and students with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of AI responsibly and effectively.

In December 2024, President Rebecca Cunningham charged an advisory task force to recommend how U of M approaches the evaluation, use and development of emergent AI tools and services. The task force is designed to:

  • Benchmark investments, policies and processes at peer institutions
  • Conduct an overview of compliance requirements, with relevant laws and regulations related to AI use
  • Recommend new resources, policies or policy changes for the entire system
  • Identify the implications of systemwide recommendations on the wellbeing of all U of M stakeholders
  • Recommend investments needed to advance University practices

The task force convened in January 2025, with the goal of recommending best practices, resources, training and potential University policy needs by September 2025.

Task Force Members

  • Education
    • Keith Brown, Senior Director Academic Technology OIT
    • Hal DeLaRosby, Assistant Dean for Student Services and International Programs CFANS
    • Dan Emery, Writing Across the Curriculum 
    • Caroline Hilk, Chair, Director Center for Educational Innovation
    • Jordan Kofer, Dean of Faculty and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs UM Morris
    • Kenneth Leopold, Chair of Student Academic Integrity Committee
    • Angie Ohler, Associate University Librarian Libraries
    • Katherine Scheil, Co-Chair, Chair of Senate Committee on Educational Policy
    • Radhika Seshan, Dean CCAPS
    • Kristen Shingler, Teaching Assistant Professor School of Dentistry
    • George Veletsianos, Professor of Learning Technologies CEHD
       
  • Research
    • Joan Blakey, Director School of Social Work CEHD
    • Galin Jones, Director School of Statistics CLA
    • Vipin Kumar, Director Data Science Initiative CSE
    • London Lowmanstone, PhD Candidate Computer Science Engineering CSE
    • Genevieve Melton-Meaux, Senior Associate Dean for Health Informatics and Data Science Medical School
    • Paige Nong, Assistant Professor SPH
    • Ted Pedersen, Professor, SCSE Duluth
    • Colby Reese, Senior Director Health Sciences Technology OIT
    • Shashi Shekhar, Chair of Senate Research Committee
    • Jim Wilgenbusch, Chair, Director Research Computing
    • Catherine Qi Zhao, Associate Professor, Dean's Fellow CSE
       
  • Administrative Operations
    • Seth Beccard, Associate Director Institutional Compliance
    • Mike Benton, IT Audit Director OIA
    • Adolfo Carrillo Cabello, Member of the Senate Committee on Information Technologies
    • Brian Dahlin, Chief Security Officer OIT
    • Paul Honsey, IT Director University Services
    • Linc Kallsen, Director Institutional Analysis
    • Amy Kuchera, Senior Director, Operations OHR
    • CJ Loosbrock, Chair, Chief Technology Officer OIT
    • Sarah McGee, Senior Associate General Counsel OGC
    • Chris Mechell, Technology Support Specialist UM Crookston
    • Carrie Meyer, Interim Director of Finance Operations Center
    • Beth Tapp, Director Purchasing Services