The University of Arizona announced today that David Ebert, an internationally recognized expert in artificial intelligence and data science, will join the university as its first chief AI and data science officer. 

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His recruitment to the U of A was made possible in part by a new, $3.5 million gift from an anonymous donor. The gift established the Computer Science Engineering Endowed Innovation Chair, of which Ebert is the inaugural holder. 

Reporting to the senior vice president for Research, Innovation & Impact, Ebert will serve as the strategic architect for the university's AI and data science vision – leading an integrated, interdisciplinary program that builds on existing U of A strengths and is designed to accelerate innovation, expand research capacity and advance the university's role as a global leader in the responsible application of AI and machine learning. 

In addition to the appointment, Ebert will join the College of Engineering as a tenured faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In this role, he will help develop the college's new computer science engineering program, including advising on future faculty hires and research strategy in coordination with larger campus efforts. The anonymous donor's gift also included $1.5 million earmarked for the purpose of recruiting faculty.

Ebert's appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the university strengthens its position at the forefront of emerging technologies and aligns with national priorities in AI and data-driven research. His role will encompass fostering internal and external collaborations, integrating AI and data science across academic disciplines, and securing research funding to support societal-scale solutions in human health, environmental resilience, national security, space, the arts and beyond.

"Dr. Ebert brings extraordinary expertise in data visualization, explainable AI and interactive machine learning to our institution," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for Research, Innovation & Impact. "His leadership will be transformational as we integrate AI and data science across the university and the state, expanding our research and operational impact while training the next generation of innovators."

Ebert was most recently the Gallogly Chair Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the Data Institute for Societal Challenges at the University of Oklahoma, as well as chief AI officer and associate vice president for research and partnerships. Prior to that, he was the Silicon Valley Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University. He is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers fellow and recipient of the IEEE Computer Society VGTC Technical Achievement Award. He previously directed the Visual Analytics for Command, Control, and Interoperability Environments Center, part of the Department of Homeland Security's Visual and Data Analytics Center of Excellence. His research focuses on visual analytics, explainable AI, human–computer teaming and predictive analytics applied to complex, large-scale data challenges.

In his new role, Ebert will work across campus to coordinate the development of the university's new AI and health initiative and will integrate and unify existing data-centric programs in Research, Innovation & Impact into a new Data Science Institute. He will collaborate across campus with academic, administrative and IT leadership to embed AI and data science into the academic enterprise and institutional decision-making. Ebert will also play a key role in forming high-impact research consortia and securing funding from agencies such as the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.