This initiative supports a number of campus priorities and will focus on human-centered approaches to guide the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence on campus.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has designated 2026 as the Year of AI Readiness and Capability, implementing a campus-wide coordinated effort to prepare students, faculty, and staff to use artificial intelligence thoughtfully and responsibly to serve the Wisconsin Initiative.
This effort builds on investments made as part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Academic Initiative (RISE-AI) AI focus area to strengthen faculty hiring, research capacity and basic infrastructure. It advances the university’s new five-year strategic framework, launched in April 2026, with shared priorities focused on innovative educational experiences, ambitious research, an outstanding organizational culture and the university’s public mission, particularly around complex challenges such as AI. And this effort complements the July 2026 launch of the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, which will be responsible for addressing AI trust, fairness, and governance, along with research and workforce readiness.
In 2026, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will move from initial investment to extensive organizational preparation, centering people, judgment, and organizational guardrails. To guide this effort, Provost John Zumbrunnen has established an AI-Ready Capabilities and Capabilities Working Group, co-chaired by Didier Contis, Chief Information Officer and Vice President for Information Technology, and Professor Christine Eschenfelder, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
“Artificial intelligence is already reshaping higher education,” Zumbrunnen says. “Our responsibility is to lead the response with a human-centered approach, one that sees AI as a tool that amplifies, rather than replaces, the unique curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking of our badger community.”
A “people first” approach
Rather than focusing solely on technology adoption, the Year of AI Readiness and Capability highlights UC Madison’s collective ability to recognize:
- When is it appropriate to use AI?
- Skills in using AI effectively within your role
- Flexibility to adapt as technology evolves
“We invest in people first,” Zumbrunnen emphasized, “ensuring that human judgment and the public interest always guide technological advances.”
This initiative also emphasizes the exercise of sound judgment inherent in ethical use and university responsibilities. The goals of this initiative include creating practical expectations for how people across the organization should engage with these tools, rather than communicating abstract principles.
As AI becomes more integrated into education, research, advocacy, and operations, our imperative is clear. We must equip our communities to use these tools wisely, ethically, and in the public interest.
John Zumbrunnen, president of the University of California, Madison
While AI has tremendous potential to transform teaching, learning, and research innovations, as well as campus administrative services, university leaders also recognize concerns about ethical considerations, environmental impacts, and academic integrity as artificial intelligence continues to proliferate at a breakneck pace.
“As AI becomes more integrated into education, research, advocacy and operations, our obligation is clear,” Zumbrunnen said. “We must equip our communities to use these tools wisely, ethically, and in the public interest.”
By designating 2026 as the Year of AI Readiness and Capability, UW-Madison affirms our commitment to combining innovation with responsibility and our commitment to supporting all members of the UW community in shaping the future of AI, “The Badger Way,” with curiosity, humility, tenacity, civility, and a touch of playfulness.
guiding principles
The Year of AI Readiness and Capability will follow three guiding principles: AI augments human capabilities rather than replacing them. Decisions need to be made deliberately, not after the fact. And campus-level coordination should leave room for regional implementation within schools, universities, and departments.
This working group will convene representatives from existing campus groups to serve as a liaison between groups and ensure coordination across the effort. It is not a new governing body. Updates on the working group’s progress and community engagement opportunities will be shared as they develop.
The Strategic Consulting Office supports working groups through facilitation, process design, and thought partnership. Soyoung Shim, director of the Department of Human Ecology, who previously led the Dean’s Working Group, will serve as an advisor to the president and co-chairs.
The task of this working group is to develop a campus AI readiness and competency framework that includes four key components:
- A plain language statement about acceptable limits and guardrails for the use of AI.
- Review of existing university policies and procedures for potential improvements
- Align role-based AI literacy resources and training
- Short- and long-term recommendations for campus AI governance and responsive investments in 2026 and beyond
The group’s efforts will culminate in clear institutional guidance and recommendations for sustained leadership in 2027 and beyond after the Year of AI Readiness and Capability.
Members of the AI Readiness and Competencies Working Group
Didier Contis, Co-Chair, Chief Information Officer and Vice President for Information Technology
Christine Eschenfelder, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Co-Chair, Professor, Interim Dean
Janet Brancheau, Interim Vice President for Teaching and Learning
Marcy Carlson, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
Kyle Cranmer, Director, Data Science Institute
Emily Hall, Writing Fellow and Director of Writing Across the Curriculum
Lisa Johnston, Director of Data Governance. Data, academic planning, institutional research
Niamh McGuigan, Associate Director of Research Libraries, University of California, Madison Library
Patrick Robinson, Associate Dean for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development, Extension
Patrick Sheehan, Chief Human Resources Officer
Francis Vavrus, Vice-Chancellor and Director of International Affairs
