The University of Oklahoma brought together over 225 faculty, students, and staff on September 26, 2025, for the OU AI Symposium: From Foundations to Future. Sponsored by the Data Institute for Societal Challenges (DISC), the day-long event highlighted the university’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence research, education, and responsible implementation.
The program featured updates from OU’s AI Working Groups on governance, health, research, education, and infrastructure, followed by remarks from Dr. Shishir Shah, OU’s inaugural Chief AI Officer. A dynamic panel discussion brought together experts from across disciplines, with Dr. Michael Wimberly, Interim Director of DISC, serving as moderator.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees explored cutting-edge projects during breakout sessions, where university researchers presented the results of their summer AI pilot programs. These sessions showcased innovations ranging from AI-enhanced clinical research and healthcare delivery to new tools for teaching, learning, and data science collaboration.
The symposium closed with networking opportunities, reinforcing OU’s commitment to fostering collaboration across fields and advancing the responsible use of AI in research, teaching, and public service.
Reflecting on the outcomes of the symposium, Dr. Wimberly commented, “I was impressed by the novel insights from the presenters, the thoughtful engagement from the attendees, and the future vision shared by Dr. Shah. What we have accomplished so far is a testament to the excellent work of my colleagues here at OU, and I am excited about what we can achieve with AI moving forward.”
The OU AI Symposium reflects the university’s dedication to shaping the future of artificial intelligence while ensuring its thoughtful and ethical integration to maximize positive impacts for society.
