Over the summer, the AI Taskforce reflected on the progress made during our first year, reviewed the rapidly evolving AI landscape, and identified priorities for the academic year ahead. As we enter Fall 2026, our focus is shifting from experimentation to impact. While building awareness and foundational skills remains important, our next phase is about translating learning into action by scaling thoughtful innovation, advancing responsible adoption, and realizing measurable value across teaching, learning, research, student success, and university operations.
Key themes for the coming year include:
- Creating opportunities for thoughtful dialogue about the opportunities, challenges, and implications of AI, grounded in UVM's Common Ground Values and commitment to responsible innovation.
- Advancing high-impact AI and agentic AI solutions that improve the student experience and enhance university services.
- Strengthening governance, guidance, and accountability to support responsible and trusted AI adoption.
- Building the institutional foundations needed to support AI at scale, including infrastructure, data, security, and operating models.
- Expanding opportunities for faculty, students, researchers, and staff to shape and benefit from AI innovation.
- Preparing our students, faculty, and staff for an AI-enabled future through professional development, new capabilities, workforce readiness, and opportunities to thoughtfully explore AI's impact on teaching, learning, research, and work.
- Moving successful pilots and innovation projects toward broader adoption, measurable outcomes, and institutional impact.
We are also expanding UVM's portfolio of enterprise AI services through a Phase 1 investment designed to meet growing demand while ensuring appropriate security, privacy, governance, and data protection safeguards. Rather than relying on a single platform, UVM is taking a portfolio approach that includes Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT Business, Claude for Education, web-based GenAI Platform with access to multiple large language models, GitLab Duo, Copilot Studio, and Copilot Agents. Together, these services support teaching, learning, research, administrative work, software development, and emerging agentic AI capabilities while positioning the university to learn, evaluate, and scale thoughtfully as these technologies continue to evolve. We will share information about these expanded services very soon. Until then, a reminder: Learn information about Copilot at UVM and approved AI tools at UVM.
In the coming weeks, we will also publish updated AI guidance developed through the Taskforce, including recommendations related to emerging agentic AI capabilities and the responsible use of AI across the university.
Together, these priorities and investments reflect UVM's commitment to pursuing AI in ways that align with our academic mission, Common Ground Values, and vision for innovation. To learn more about the working groups and their responsibilities, please visit the About the AI Task Force page.
On behalf of the AI Taskforce, I look forward to continuing our work together this year as we advance thoughtful innovation, foster meaningful dialogue, and explore AI's impact across our university community.
Best,
Dr. Kellie Campbell
Chief Information Officer
University of Vermont