AI-Strategic Initiative
The AI Strategic Initiative (AISI) establishes a unified, enterprise-wide approach to artificial intelligence at UAB. It ensures AI is adopted and used in ways that are safe, ethical, transparent, and aligned with our academic, research, clinical, and operational missions.
AISI applies across Campus, the Research enterprise, the Health System, and Administrative and enterprise functions. It covers generative AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, automation, and emerging AI technologies that use UAB data or affect students, patients, employees, researchers, or the public.
The AI Leadership Team (AILT) brings a unified, enterprise-wide perspective to AI strategy and governance at UAB. Its role is to help units move faster, reduce duplication, and ensure that local efforts are supported by clear standards, coordinated guidance, and shared institutional direction.
Goals and Approach
Our Goals
- Enable responsible and ethical AI use across the enterprise
- Protect people, data, and institutional trust
- Reduce duplication and risk through shared standards
- Support innovation aligned with UAB priorities
- Prepare our workforce for an AI-enabled future
Our Approach
- Hub-and-spoke coordination: centralized guidance with distributed leadership
- Guardrails, not roadblocks: support innovation while managing risk
- Human-centered AI: human judgment remains essential
- Transparency and accountability: clear expectations and communication
- Leverage existing governance: integrate AI into current committees, policies, and workflows
AI Enterprise Governance Structure
UAB uses a distributed governance model that embeds AI review and accountability into existing structures.
AI Leadership Team
The AI Strategic Initiative is supported by a cross-enterprise AI Leadership Team, providing central alignment and executive oversight for AI across the UAB enterprise.
Responsibilities
- Set institutional AI priorities
- Provide executive oversight and direction
- Ensure ethical, safe, and compliant use of AI
- Approve major AI initiatives and investments
- Align AI efforts with UAB's mission and strategy
Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
The Executive Director (Office of the President) leads enterprise AI integration and operationalizes the work of the AI Leadership Team by:
- Facilitating AI intake, prioritization, and coordination
- Ensuring appropriate governance, review, and escalation
- Supporting communication, transparency, and alignment across pillars
Other Key Players
AI Leads in each pillar (Academics, Research, Clinical, Administrative/Enterprise) provide strategic leadership and coordination within their domain.
Foundational enablers: UAB IT and HSIS for infrastructure, security, contracts, and integration.
Existing governance bodies for compliance, privacy, clinical safety, research oversight, and academic integrity.
Targeted working groups formed as needed for emerging or complex AI issues.
You can explore and use AI within clear guardrails, with support from your unit and enterprise leadership, without navigating governance alone.