(US and Canada) The University of Oklahoma has appointed David Ebert as its interim inaugural Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, a new position aimed at driving AI innovation in education, research, and operations.

Ebert previously served as the director of OU’s Data Institute for Societal Challenges (DISC) and Associate Vice President for Research and Partnerships. In his new role, he will lead efforts to integrate AI strategically across the university, ensuring its responsible and effective application in academic and healthcare settings.

Senior OU leaders emphasize the significance of AI in higher education. “With David Ebert serving as our interim Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, OU is taking a proactive approach to ensuring AI is integrated thoughtfully and responsibly across our academic and research enterprise,” said André-Denis Wright, Senior Vice President and Provost for the Norman campus.

A distinguished researcher, Ebert holds the Gallogly Chair Professorship with joint appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the Gallogly College of Engineering. He is an IEEE Fellow and former Second Vice President of the IEEE Computer Society. He also directs the Visual Analytics for Command Control and Interoperability Center (VACCINE), supporting data analytics for the Department of Homeland Security.

Ebert’s expertise spans visual analytics, predictive modeling, and AI-driven decision-making. A prolific author with 10 patents, he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in computer and information science from The Ohio State University.