University of Utah appoints its first-ever 'AI czar'

SALT LAKE CITY — Sitting before state lawmakers, University of Utah President Taylor Randall recently echoed the alarm that China was outpacing the United States in AI and other critical technologies.

Then Randall declared that the state's flagship university — in "Sputnik moment"-like fashion — would help close the gap.

On Thursday, the university took a key step in realizing its artificial intelligence ambitions — announcing the appointment of its inaugural chief artificial intelligence officer.

Manish Parashar — the school's director of the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute and presidential professor in the Kalhert School of Computing — will serve as the university's first-ever "AI czar."

Parashar will represent the university and advise Randall as the school navigates various AI initiatives, according to a University of Utah release. The award-winning computer scientist will also "lead the university's AI strategy, advance research and translation initiatives, foster collaborations across academic and industry sectors and ensure ethical and responsible AI efforts in alignment with institutional missions."

Randall said he remains excited about AI advancements at the university, the state of Utah — and beyond.

"We are fortunate to have Dr. Parashar's expertise and talent leading out for the university," said Randall, "and I am confident that his service in this role will greatly enhance the U.'s standing as a hub for innovation and excellence."

Parashar, who assumed his new AI duties at the university earlier this week, will report directly to University of Utah Provost Mitzi Montoya.

The school's first-ever AI chief has already played a pivotal role in the university's efforts to become a key player in the quickly-evolving and revolutionary technology.

Under Parashar's leadership, the university launched its Responsible AI Initiative (One-U RAI) in October 2023 with a $100 million investment and a goal to support AI research with real-world impact in three areas where the university has deep expertise: the environment, health care and wellness, and teaching and learning, according to the university release.

One-U RAI, the release added, made its first set of faculty fellow, postdoctoral fellow and distinguished visitor awards last fall — and faculty cluster hiring is expected to ramp up later in 2025 and in the years to come.

Last month, One-U RAI led the launch of the One-Utah Responsible Community Consortium to provide a forum for academia, government, industry and the community to engage in the responsible development and use of AI.

"When used effectively and responsibly, AI can be a very powerful tool," Parashar said at the time of the project launch. "It can help us address problems that can impact every citizen of the state and country. Harnessing this tool will allow us to break new research ground while training our students and creating a workforce that is prepared with an essential skill set."

Parashar recently completed an appointment at the National Science Foundation, where he served as office director of the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure, as well as co-chair of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on the Future Advanced Computing Ecosystem and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force, according to the university release.

He also served at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as assistant director for strategic computing in 2020, where he led the development of a national strategy for the future computing ecosystem.

AI: Addressing problems — impacting all

U.S. leaders on both sides of the aisle agree it's vital for the country to keep pace in the race for global AI superiority.

On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump announced a new artificial intelligence company called Stargate — signaling a collaboration between some leading U.S. tech figures, Newsweek reported.

Stargate is designed to maintain the U.S. as the global leader in artificial intelligence, the report added. Backed by a $500 billion investment over four years, Stargate plans to build AI infrastructure across the U.S., creating thousands of new jobs and doubling down on American advantages in AI development.

"Together these world-leading technology giants are announcing the formation of Stargate, so put that name down in your books, a new American company that will invest in AI infrastructure," said Trump. "This is a resounding vote of confidence in America's potential. It will ensure the future of AI technology and keep it in this country."

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., utilized his X account to call American researchers to action. "Our competitors are going to use every single opportunity they get to overtake the U.S.'s lead on the technologies of the future. We have to lead the way."

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