TU/e is taking a logical next step to boost AI even more and to integrate it into research, education, valorization and its own business operations, so that the university can be at the forefront of AI integration. To help make that happen, EAISI, TU/e's AI institute, will be given the role of an acceleration platform that connects and accelerates.
Background
Whereas AI was still mainly a research domain when EAISI was founded in 2019, it is rapidly becoming more and more crucial in everything the university does. This requires a different approach to AI than it has done so far, the Executive Board concluded last year, including in the new Institutional Plan. A task force therefore spent the first half of this year looking at what the organization of AI at TU/e could look like.
Principle
The Executive Board has decided that application-oriented AI research will be strengthened at the TU/e research institutes and at JADS. Fundamental AI research will remain within the departments and will be further strengthened there. The basic principle is that TU/e will organize everything related to AI as close as possible to where it is needed, for example in research or education. The starting point is 'embedded' where possible and 'coordinated' where necessary.
AI aspects that can be better managed centrally and in coherence include AI governance, shared infrastructure, AI skills, stimulating interfaculty research, external positioning and AI promotion in education, research support, valorisation and business operations.
Organization
The internal organization is brought in line with this. The first step has already been taken: a broad and heavy AI governance board has been set up for the strategy. The board includes the rector, who chairs the board, and the vice-president of TU/e. In addition, the board consists of deans, directors and later also the Chief AI Officer (CAIO). This important new position will form the link between strategy and execution.
The CAIO will therefore be part of the new 'project board' which translates the strategy into implementation and ensures project coordination. The institutes will also each have their own AI program manager. In addition, there will be an AI ambassador, who will have an inspiring, connecting and driving role both internally and externally and will support successful events such as the AI Summit Brainport.
Intensification and broadening
Silvia Lenaerts, rector magnificus of TU/e: "This intensification and broadening of our commitment to integrate AI into everything we do is greatly needed. AI is changing the world and the possibilities in all areas at an enormous pace, and we need to be at the forefront of it. We want our people to embrace AI, to use AI even more in their daily tasks, so that the learning process is accelerated. We are proud that with EAISI we have a solid starting point to achieve an organization with which we can ensure an acceleration of AI on all fronts."
This week, the Executive Board decided to bring about the necessary organizational change of EAISI. The Governance Board will now start the elaboration of the plans.
