AI Innovation Pilots

Idea to Prototype in 8 Weeks

AI Innovation Pilots are designed to help researchers and staff transform specific ideas into functional prototypes through a highly accelerated development process.

While our consultations provide guidance, the Pilots program offers hands-on development to create proof-of-concept solutions for operational or research-based projects.

This program is ideal for small internal project requests that require technical execution rather than long-term research commitments.

Submit an AI Project Intake Form

What to Expect

The Pilot program is built for speed and impact, moving your project from concept to reality in a fraction of the usual development time.

Rapid Timeline: Projects must meet a strict 8-week completion requirement for the development and implementation phases.
Phased Approach: The timeline focuses on the core execution phases, while an initial assessment phase ensures your project is ready for rapid prototyping.
Focused Execution: Because this is not intended for long-term research, the goal is a singular, working proof-of-concept that demonstrates the viability of your AI or Data Science application.
You retain fulls rights

Technical Expertise and Resources

We provide the high-level infrastructure and personnel needed to power intensive AI development. Participants in the Innovation Pilots gain access to:

Dedicated AI2S Staff: We assign team members, such as Research Software Engineers, based on your specific project needs, including tasks like GPU computing setup.
Campus Cyberinfrastructure: Leverage the University’s High-Performance Computing (HPC), data storage via the OpenStorageNetwork, and CyVerse Discovery Environment.
Hands-on Development: Our team works directly on the technical execution to move your project beyond the planning stage.

Program Scope and Eligibility

To ensure high-quality support for all participants, the program follows specific guidelines:

Project Limits: Support is limited to one pilot project per faculty or staff member per year.
Operational Readiness: Projects must have essential components, such as data access, ready at the start. If these are missing, we provide a 2–6 week window to gather requirements before reapplication.

illustration of three people sorting out an idea together

Get Started Today

If you have a clear idea that needs rapid technical development, the best way to begin is by submitting an AI Project Intake request. Our team will review your submission to determine if your project is a fit for the 8-week Pilot or if it should first begin with an AI Consultation to refine your technical requirements.