UW–Madison is investing in new facilities, academic programs, and research initiatives to strengthen its position in the evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI).
The RISE-AI initiative, launched in February 2024, is expanding UW–Madison’s network of AI experts and accelerating discovery. Within two years, the initiative hired 50 new faculty members across a dozen schools and colleges to strengthen the university’s ability to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into research, teaching, and outreach.
This momentum extends beyond computing disciplines, with AI-related research and instruction emerging across campus in fields ranging from engineering and business to health care, education, and the humanities.
To support this growth, the university invested in physical infrastructure with the fall 2025 opening of Morgridge Hall, a 343,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. As the current home of the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS), Morgridge Hall brings together key disciplines including computer sciences, statistics, information science, and biostatistics. This expansion increases capacity for one of the fastest-growing areas of study on campus and addresses the rising demand for computing and data science talent.
To meet increased demand, UW–Madison will reorganize CDIS into a standalone College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, its first new academic college in more than 40 years. The college, expected to open July 1, 2026, will unify existing programs and create new pathways for students pursuing careers in AI and related fields. Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin said the move shapes “a future where UW–Madison leads in innovation while advancing knowledge for the common good.”
Beyond campus, the impact is already extending into industry partnerships and workforce development. University leaders are working with businesses across Wisconsin to shape AI applications in manufacturing, health care, and agriculture. These collaborations ensure that students are prepared for a workforce increasingly shaped by automation and data.
