Associate Vice President for Artificial Intelligence

Texas A&M University invites applications and nominations for the inaugural Associate Vice President for Artificial Intelligence (AVP-AI). The AVP-AI will serve to advance the university’s strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), coordinating its cross-disciplinary application across teaching, research, and institutional operations.

 This position represents a significant institutional commitment to advancing AI innovation, responsible governance, and workforce development at scale. The AVP-AI will collaborate with academic and administrative leaders across the university to coordinate the development, application, and stewardship of artificial intelligence in ways that support the university’s mission and strategic priorities.

Working within the Office of the Provost and with senior leadership, the AVP-AI will help coordinate institutional efforts related to artificial intelligence, support interdisciplinary collaboration, and identify opportunities where AI can enhance research, productivity, teaching and learning, and operational effectiveness. The AVP-AI will engage broadly with faculty, staff, and students to understand emerging needs and opportunities related to AI while supporting responsible and effective implementation across the institution.

 This is a senior administrative appointment within the Office of the Provost. For candidates with appropriate academic credentials, a concurrent tenured or academic professional track faculty appointment at the rank of professor in an appropriate academic department may be considered.

Strategic Leadership. The AVP-AI will develop and help lead a university-wide AI vision that aligns with the institutional mission and strategic plan. The AVP-AI will advise senior university leadership on emerging AI opportunities, risks, and policy considerations, and represent Texas A&M in national and international interactions on AI in higher education. The AVP-AI will serve as the university's strategic AI ambassador, representing Texas A&M at national academic forums, policy roundtables, and public symposia to promote the university's AI leadership and infrastructure visibility.

Governance and Coordination. The AVP-AI will help establish and coordinate a cross-functional AI governance structure that connects academic units, research institutes, and administrative divisions, including the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science (TAMIDS), the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), and other campus-wide AI efforts. Through this structure, the AVP-AI will coordinate AI-related initiatives across campus, identify opportunities for collaboration, and reduce duplication of effort, while maximizing institutional impact. The AVP-AI will engage students, staff, and faculty to surface needs and opportunities for AI across the institution. In addition, the AVP-AI will build upon existing institutional efforts to develop and implement frameworks for responsible AI use, including guidance related to ethics, data governance, academic integrity, and regulatory considerations, ensuring consistent application across instructional, research, and operational uses of AI. The AVP-AI will also establish feedback mechanisms and processes that enable continuous improvement of AI-related programs and initiatives at institutional scale.

 Research and Innovation. Working in partnership with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), the AVP-AI will support the development of large-scale research initiatives, major grant proposals, and strategic partnerships that advance AI research and its application across disciplines.

 The AVP-AI will coordinate with OVPR and other relevant offices to develop and strengthen partnerships with industry, national laboratories, and other leading research organizations to expand opportunities for collaborative research, translational innovation, and technology transfer. The AVP-AI will also promote the use of AI to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Texas A&M research enterprise.

 Education and Workforce Development. The AVP-AI will champion the integration of AI literacy and fluency across undergraduate, graduate, and professional curricula. In collaboration with relevant campus partners, the AVP-AI will support the development of role-based AI training and professional development opportunities for students, staff, and faculty.

 The AVP-AI will also promote innovative teaching practices that leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes while supporting faculty and students in navigating challenges related to responsible AI use, academic integrity, and assessment in the age of generative AI. The AVP-AI will support quality assurance and accreditation considerations for AI-integrated degree programs and assess learner outcomes.

 Infrastructure and Resources. The AVP-AI will collaborate with Technology Services and other campus partners to inform institutional decisions on AI platform provisioning, licensing, and data governance. Working closely with Information Technology, OVPR, and other stakeholders, the AVP-AI will advocate for sustainable investments in the AI infrastructure (e.g., DGX SuperPOD, institutional data platforms), computing resources, and talent, and support the development of an AI competency center or equivalent support structure.

Required Qualifications and Experience-

• Bachelor’s or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten (10) years of administrative experience
• Technical expertise in foundational AI and/or the application of state-of-the-art AI/ML models broadly,
• or equivalent professional experience.
• A substantiated commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and teaching excellence.
• Familiarity with the landscape of AI governance, policy, and ethics in higher education.
• A track record of building and sustaining partnerships between academia and industry.
• Evidence of mentoring and developing talent across career stages.
• Evidence of collaboration across disciplines, organizations, or sectors.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience-

• Earned doctorate in an AI-adjacent discipline.
• A distinguished record of scholarship, innovation, or leadership related to artificial intelligence, data science, or digital technologies.
• Experience contributing to premier AI/ML forums, conferences, publications, or policy discussions.
• Experience at a large public research university or comparable institution.
• Practical experience and a demonstrable history of aligning diverse stakeholders to execute transformative strategic initiatives across complex organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in leading AI initiatives in education, including program management, development of AI-based tools, or research on AI in education.

• Demonstrated connections with prominent AI industry organizations (e.g., through collaborative research, advisory roles, consulting, or technology transfer).
• Leadership experience in academic, research administration, or industry settings. 

CO-CHAIRS

• Michael Johnson, Associate Provost for Academic Enhancement; Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

• Henry Fadamiro, Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

MEMBERS

• CJ Brennan, Deloitte Audit & Assurance partner

• Jean-Francois Chamberland, Associate Dean for Faculty Success; Professor in Electrical Engineering

• Candice P. Chu, Assistant Professor, Veterinary Pathology & Clinical Pathology

• Jim Colson, Associate Vice President, Digital Health

• Bill Crane, Distinguished Alumni, Computer Science and Engineering; Chief Executive Officer, Red Crown Adventures

• Lily Garcia, Dean, College of Dentistry

• Robert Hardin, Associate Professor, Biological & Agricultural Engineering

• Michael Leary, Chief Technology Officer

• Blanca Lupiani, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

• Bani Mallick, Distinguished Professor, Statistics

• Andrew Pilsch, Acting Department Head, English

• Mark Potter, President, Potter Capital Investments

•  Giridhar Athrey, Associate Professor, Food Science and Technology

• Scott Schaefer, Department Head, Computer Science

• Jeff Slattery, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Law

• Jamie Thompson, Assistant Director, Digital Learning, Center for Teaching Excellence