Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau named founding dean of UW-Madison computing and AI college
Updated
Updated · WPR · May 5
Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau named founding dean of UW-Madison computing and AI college
8 articles · Updated · WPR · May 5
The college opens on 1 July as UW-Madison's first new academic division in 43 years, and Arpaci-Dusseau will lead its launch, growth and academic direction.
He said the college should provide a non-industry voice on AI, emphasizing ethics, public good and both supportive and critical perspectives through partnerships across medicine, philosophy, law and public policy.
The college plans to hire 50 faculty, pursue cross-campus classes, certificates and dual degrees, and prepare students for an AI-shaped job market while weighing community concerns over data centres.
As AI data centers consume Wisconsin's resources, can a new university college truly influence Big Tech's environmental impact?
With AI automating millions of jobs, how will UW's new college prepare graduates for roles that do not yet exist?
Can a university funded by tech philanthropists truly act as an independent, ethical watchdog over the AI industry?
University of Wisconsin-Madison Establishes College of Computing and AI to Lead Ethical, Interdisciplinary AI Education and Research
Overview
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is launching the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (CAI) on July 1, 2026, driven by the urgent need to focus on AI and its societal impacts. Backed by $100 million in philanthropic support and over $50 million in annual institutional investment, the CAI will integrate Computer Science, Information Science, and Statistics to offer innovative programs, including an AI minor at UW-Superior and specialized certificates. Under founding Dean Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, the college plans to hire 50 new faculty with joint appointments to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The CAI aims to prepare students for an AI-driven world while embedding ethics and societal considerations, positioning UW-Madison as a leader in responsible AI research and education.