University of Iowa Launches AI Industry Advisory Board to Shape Future

As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize industries, the University of Iowa is taking proactive steps to adapt by forming the AI Industry Advisory Board. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic leaders and industry experts, ensuring that the university community is well-equipped for the future workplace.

The board comprises a diverse group of professionals with backgrounds in technology services, AI development, risk management, legal affairs, and talent management. This diverse expertise provides the University of Iowa with valuable insights into AI adoption and workforce evolution, while simultaneously offering a platform to share its own findings on responsible AI use in education, research, and healthcare.

First convened virtually in the spring of 2026, the board gathered in person on campus on September 18. The discussions focused on the transformation of the workforce, AI-enhanced teaching and research, and the challenges and opportunities presented by evolving technology.

Brad Rohrer, the university’s associate vice president and chief information officer, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “Bringing together leaders from across industries gives us an important perspective on how AI is changing organizations and the workforce. This board creates an opportunity for genuine exchange that can help us make thoughtful decisions at Iowa while also sharing what we learn with our industry partners.”

The September meeting delved into workforce transformation by examining how students can prepare for new career expectations and how faculty and staff can acquire the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven environment.

Lisa Carmack, a board member and Iowa alumna, who serves as a global people strategy partner at Vylor, a seed and genetics company, expressed her commitment to shaping the university’s AI strategy. “Throughout their careers and lives, students will encounter new disruptive technologies, like AI, that require them to reach outside their comfort zone,” Carmack stated. “Providing safe, yet challenging environments for students to learn, make mistakes, and develop skills and experience using AI helps them prepare for their careers.”

The board’s discussions align with Iowa’s broader approach to AI, which encourages exploration of AI’s potential while maintaining a focus on transparency, risk management, and institutional responsibility. The participants highlighted the need for multidisciplinary exploration, acknowledging that AI’s impact will differ across various fields.

Lindsay Crittendon, another Iowa alumna and board member, serves as the chief revenue officer for Tailorbird, a tech company leveraging AI for property management. She draws on her Silicon Valley background to help the university embrace AI effectively. “This is a massive sea change, and I’d like Iowa to be one of the places to lead it,” Crittendon remarked.

She also noted the contrast between the private sector’s top-down approach to change and the more decentralized nature of a university. Crittendon advocated for a model where AI specialists collaborate directly with subject-matter experts within different departments. “For example, the people in the political science department know what they can do better than someone in a central office,” she explained. “Having an AI expert and business-process thinker paired with a subject-matter expert means you could have a million flowers blooming. Everyone can learn from one another.”