UW–Madison Launches AI College, First New School in More Than 40 Years
Updated
Updated · University of Wisconsin-Madison · Jul 1
UW–Madison Launches AI College, First New School in More Than 40 Years
2 articles · Updated · University of Wisconsin-Madison · Jul 1
Summary
July 1 marked the official launch of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence, the university’s first new school or college in more than four decades.
The new college consolidates three existing units—Computer Sciences, the Information School and Statistics—building on the 2019 creation of the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences rather than starting from scratch.
More than 100 faculty and roughly 5,000 students now sit under the new college, which university leaders say will expand research, teaching and public engagement around AI’s effects on society.
Founding Dean Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau said CAI plans to hire 50 new faculty over the coming years and use the college structure to deepen cross-campus and industry partnerships.
UW–Madison is positioning the college as a hub for shaping how computing and AI are developed and applied across fields from medicine and agriculture to business, arts and public life.
How will UW's new AI college benefit Wisconsin's local industries and communities beyond the university campus?
With massive new funding, can the AI college prioritize ethics over the race for technological breakthroughs?
UW–Madison Launches College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence: Unifying 3 Departments, 50 New Faculty, and a Campuswide Vision for Ethical AI Leadership
Overview
On July 1, 2026, the University of Wisconsin–Madison officially launched the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (CAI), its first new academic division in over 40 years. The CAI unifies the Departments of Computer Sciences, Statistics, and the Information School, bringing together vital programs in data science and library and information science. This new college demonstrates UW–Madison’s strong commitment to advancing education and research in fast-changing technological fields. By fostering deeper collaboration among faculty, staff, and students, the CAI enables a more unified approach to tackling the complex challenges and opportunities of the computing age.