Introducing AI Champions: Helping Connect AI Across the University
Across the University of Utah, faculty, staff, students, researchers, and clinicians are exploring how AI can help solve problems, improve experiences, and support their work. As interest and adoption continue to grow, so does the need for trusted connections, shared learning, and reliable support.
That's why we're launching the AI Champions program.
AI Champions will serve as local connectors across campus. They won't be expected to have all the answers or be technical experts. Instead, they'll help share information, connect people with the right resources, and bring valuable feedback, ideas, and questions back to the broader AI community.
Our goal is simple: make AI support more accessible, more connected, and more relevant to the people doing the work.
What AI Champions Do
AI Champions help create a bridge between their local communities and university-wide AI resources. They may:
- Share updates, opportunities, events, and guidance related to AI.
- Help colleagues find the right experts or support when specialized questions arise.
- Encourage conversations about practical and responsible uses of AI within their area.
- Surface local successes, challenges, ideas, and questions.
- Provide feedback that helps shape future AI resources, programs, and support.
Champions are not expected to be policy experts, privacy specialists, or compliance authorities. Their role is to help connect people, information, and opportunities.
Why Participate?
Being an AI Champion is an opportunity to help shape how AI is adopted and supported across the university while learning alongside a network of engaged colleagues.
Participants will receive:
- Early awareness of AI-related updates and opportunities.
- Connections with peers across campus who are exploring similar questions and ideas.
- Recognition for their contributions, including a digital badge that can be highlighted on professional profiles or résumés.
- Opportunities to share local successes, learn from others, and help inform university-wide efforts.
We also hope to recognize and celebrate this community through future gatherings, showcases, and opportunities to highlight the meaningful work happening across campus.
What to Expect
AI Champions will receive regular communications, occasional requests to share information or gather feedback, and opportunities to contribute to conversations about AI at the university. Participants should expect an ongoing commitment of approximately three to five hours per month and are encouraged to discuss participation with their supervisor before joining.
Join the Network
We welcome faculty, staff, researchers, clinicians, students, and leaders from every discipline, campus location, and level of AI experience.
The most valuable Champions won't necessarily be the people who know the most about AI. They'll be the people who are curious, collaborative, and excited to help connect their communities with resources, opportunities, and one another.
Interested in participating? Complete the AI Champions Interest Form.The interest form requires a University of Utah login and can only be completed using university credentials.
We'll use expressions of interest to build a diverse and representative network that reflects the breadth of our university community.
Together, we can help create a stronger, more connected community of AI learners, practitioners, and leaders across the University of Utah.