UK's AI strategy earns national spotlight in Microsoft partnership

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky's comprehensive approach to artificial intelligence has earned recognition from Microsoft, which recently spotlighted the institution's coordinated framework for responsible AI adoption in a national video.

The recognition reflects how UK is aligning technology with its land-grant mission, building a systematic approach rather than allowing AI use to develop in isolation across campus. Through the Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy, or CATS AI, the university has connected students, faculty and staff across its 17 colleges, libraries, research centers and academic healthcare system to ensure responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

"More than 70,000 students and employees have access to Microsoft 365 Copilot," UK President Eli Capilouto said in the Microsoft video. "And it's not going to stop there — it's going to touch every corner of Kentucky."

Yet university leadership emphasizes that broad access alone is insufficient without proper training and oversight. To address this gap, UK launched the AI Literacy and Training Hub, which offers practical learning opportunities ranging from introductory overviews to applied use cases relevant to teaching, research and administration. Sessions continue through summer as interest grows.

The strategy's impact is already visible across campus. Medical students like Hunter Colson are using AI tools to create affordable tutoring platforms that democratize access to complex subjects. "Using tools like GitHub Copilot, we built a platform where you have a tutor in your pocket," Colson said. Meanwhile, biomedical engineering sophomore Chaelyn McGuire recently used AI to develop a website for her sorority's philanthropic initiative, doubling donations in half the time.

Microsoft's partnership with UK includes providing tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot and Dragon Copilot for healthcare applications, enabling students, faculty and researchers to develop solutions that would have been out of reach just years ago.

Ian McClure, vice president for innovation at UK HealthCare, framed the initiative as an opportunity to position Kentucky as a leader. "We saw this as an opportunity to become one of the first AI universities for the state of Kentucky," he said. "The Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy is a framework to holistically support our entire community to responsibly adopt AI for good."

The university's approach has drawn support from state policymakers. "AI is changing every part of our economy, and Kentucky must guide that change responsibly and purposefully," said state Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, co-chair of Kentucky's Artificial Intelligence Task Force.

For UK leadership, the partnership underscores a broader mission: ensuring innovation serves people and strengthens the Commonwealth through education, research and service.