Office of the Chief AI Officer
The Office of the Chief AI Officer is the central authority driving the commitment to responsible AI excellence at the University of Arizona. Our mission is to enhance the responsible, reliable, and sustainable implementation of Artificial Intelligence across education, research, and operations at U of A. This centralized approach ensures that AI adoption aligns with the university's institutional values and benefits society.
Advancing Responsible AI at the University of Arizona
David Ebert serves as Chief AI Officer (CAI) at the University of Arizona, leading the Office of the Chief AI Officer and the Arizona Institute for AI and Society.
Since joining the University of Arizona, David Ebert has prioritized outreach and engagement to advance responsible AI across campus. He has connected with leaders in multiple colleges, contributed to forums on science, humanities, and health, and shared perspectives at events such as the Horizons Student AI Showcase and the Arizona Advances Health Innovation Summit. His efforts span multiple disciplines and departments, from precision medicine and cancer research to agriculture in Yuma, reflecting the university’s commitment to integrating responsible AI in education, research, and operations.
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Innovation and Sustainability
The Office of the Chief AI Officer and the AI Roadmap AI Sustainability Team are reviewing strategies for responsible AI use and the AI environmental footprint and integrating sustainability into education, research, and operations. AI is rapidly reshaping education, research, and campus operations, creating new opportunities for innovation. With this growth comes a responsibility to ensure ethical, transparent, and sustainable AI use. University leadership is actively reviewing the environmental and societal impacts of AI to align with long-term sustainability goals campus wide and in the community. Current initiatives include assessing campus systems and raising awareness of environmental and sustainability considerations in decision-making.
Udall Center Fellowship
The Udall Center has partnered with the University of Arizona's BIO5 Institute, Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR), College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP), College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), and Office of the Chief AI Officer (OCAIO) to offer specialized fellowship tracks for research with a public policy dimension.
Fellows receive dedicated time in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Spring 2027 to advance research projects that relate to or inform public policy in their field.
Deadline: February 16, 2026
Education, Research, and Operations
The office manages the ResponsibleAI.arizona.edu site which serves as the centralized campus web hub for responsible AI information. With transparent communication and timely updates on AI initiatives and opportunities, the site connects the campus community with comprehensive AI and data science resources including student guidelines and principles, research tools, training and workshops.
We are developing an AI Roadmap framework for the responsible, secure, and effective use of AI campus wide. This collaborative effort engages working teams of faculty, staff, and students to define goals, set priorities, and ensure that our approach reflects U of A values and positions the university as a leader in responsible AI use. Watch the Town Hall videos and learn about the draft of the AI Roadmap and path it is taking.
AI Insights is a dynamic virtual series exploring AI innovations and topics across disciplines. Whether you are new to AI or deeply immersed, these sessions welcome the entire Wildcat community; students, faculty, and staff. Join us every Tuesday from 12:00–1:00 PM for engaging virtual lunchtime sessions designed to spark ideas and conversation with faculty researchers, student innovators, and industry leaders.
AI Info Sessions is designed to help campus and the community build confidence, fluency, and shared understanding around responsible AI. Each virtual session is intended to spark curiosity, create a common language, and bring clarity to responsible AI and what “AI at work” looks like. Join us on Thursdays at 2:00 to 3:00 PM for interactive sessions featuring practical responsible AI topics and live Q&A.
Meet the Team
David Ebert
Chief AI and Data Science Officer
Angela Cruze
Interim Senior Director
Rudy Salcido
Research Program Administration Manager
Yisel Suarez
Executive Assistant
Amanda Harrell
Program Manager
Tina L. Johnson
Organizational Development Specialist
John McCary
Researcher, Security Data and Information
