UWM to House Nation’s First Microsoft AI Lab Focused on Manufacturing

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Connected Systems Institute, as part of Microsoft’s $3.3 billion investment in southeast Wisconsin, will house the nation’s first manufacturing-focused AI Co-Innovation Lab. Lubar graduate students Soumya Katukam and Deepak Tandra talked with Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, during a tour of the Connected Systems Institute.

The lab will strengthen UWM’s education and research mission while connecting Wisconsin manufacturers and other companies with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence experts and developers.

Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference at the company’s data center complex in Racine County that featured remarks from President Joe Biden and Gov. Tony Evers. UWM Chancellor Mark Mone, UWM Chief Innovation and Partnership Officer Brian Thompson and CSI Director Joe Hamman were in attendance to personally receive the good news...