{"id":220972,"date":"2025-08-26T15:16:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T01:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=220972"},"modified":"2025-08-27T15:47:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T01:47:26","slug":"uh-launches-systemwide-ai-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/26\/uh-launches-systemwide-ai-approach\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> launches systemwide approach to artificial intelligence"},"content":{"rendered":"
Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> is advancing a comprehensive, systemwide approach to becoming a leader in artificial intelligence (AI<\/abbr>), with multiple initiatives underway at the system level and across the 10 campuses. President Wendy Hensel outlined the effort in a presentation to the UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents<\/a> on August 21 at UH<\/abbr> Maui College, describing AI<\/abbr> as a transformative force that will reshape education, research and the workforce in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and beyond.<\/p>\n[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/N4ow1EMQOCE” el_aspect=”169″ align=”right” el_id=”wrap-video-right”][vc_column_text]\n

“Artificial intelligence has been compared to the invention of electricity,” said Hensel. “It doesn\u2019t touch just one area, it touches all areas and will reform how we go about doing the work of just about everything, not only in the university but across society.”<\/p>\n

Hensel acknowledged that some remain skeptical about AI<\/abbr>\u2019s reach but cited a familiar adage: people often overestimate the short-term effects of technology and underestimate its long-term impact.<\/p>\n

“Most experts believe the scale of change we are seeing today will be more impactful than the industrial revolution,” she told regents. “The university should be a leader in moving Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> through this moment.”<\/p>\n

Imminent change and opportunity<\/h2>\n

The president cited predictions from top financial, business and tech firms to underscore the urgency: as many as 300 million jobs worldwide could be affected by generative AI<\/abbr>, with 80% of the U.S. workforce expected to see at least 10% of their tasks impacted. It is also estimated that AI<\/abbr> could add up to $4.4 trillion in value to the global economy, creating new opportunities and entire industries.<\/p>\n

“Every single sector, from healthcare to education to government, is already being reshaped,” Hensel said. “This is not just about computer science. It touches agriculture, trades, finance and the careers that define Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s workforce.”<\/p>\n

AI<\/abbr> across teaching, research and operations<\/h2>\n

Hensel said that UH<\/abbr> is approaching AI<\/abbr> on multiple fronts:<\/p>\n