Human in the Loop
In May, Professor Vasant Honavar was named Penn State’s inaugural vice provost for artificial intelligence.
Vasant Honavar is Penn State’s inaugural vice provost for artificial intelligence, tasked with guiding a comprehensive AI strategy for the University and advancing its leadership in human-centered and ethical AI innovation across teaching, learning, research, and operations. His vision for what AI can and should be at Penn State and across higher education is helping position the University to lead with purpose at the intersection of technology, ethics, and human impact.
Honavar, a professor in the College of IST’s Department of Informatics and Intelligent Systems, stepped into the new leadership role on June 1.
“I am honored to serve as vice provost for artificial intelligence at Penn State,” he said. “At a time when AI is reshaping discovery, learning, creative endeavors, and the nature of work, Penn State has a unique opportunity—indeed, a responsibility—to lead by reimagining the land-grant mission in a world being transformed by AI.”
Honavar will collaborate with the AI Coordinating Council, the AI Student Advisory Group, and other AI working and advisory bodies, as he and his fellow leaders across the University ensure that Penn State’s AI strategy aligns with the University’s institutional values and longterm strategic goals.
“I am incredibly proud of Vasant’s leadership in this space,” said Andrea Tapia, dean of IST. “Since joining the college in 2013, he has served in many distinguished roles in IST and Penn State. This appointment reflects not only his deep expertise and unwavering dedication, but also the critical importance of the work he leads in one of the defining areas of our time.”
Honavar's key priorities as vice provost for AI include:
- Integrating University‑wide initiatives, including AI literacy, experiential learning, curricula, and research innovation
- Expanding AI competencies, AI upskilling, and equitable access to AI initiatives to empower students, faculty, and staff to thrive in a world being transformed by AI
- Fostering responsible and ethical adoption of AI tools and platforms in research, curricula, and operations across the University
- Expanding partnerships across academia, industry, government, nonprofits, and community organizations to strengthen experiential learning, collaborative research, and workforce development in AI-related fields
- Strengthening Penn State’s national leadership in AI foundations, humancentered AI, and AI-enabled discoveries across the sciences
- Expanding Penn State’s land-grant mission through AI applications in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and related areas
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