Job Title: Chief Academic AI Officer
PVN ID: VA-2408-006417
Category: Managerial and Professional
Location: OFFICE OF SR. UNIV DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Job Description

General Description

The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost oversees all academic policies governing the University’s 25 institutions offering 2844 academic programs, including 325 associates degrees, 1310 bachelor’s degrees, 797 master’s degrees, 95 certificates, 360 advanced certificates, and 71 doctoral degrees.  In a single integrated system, the Office is responsible for the strategic leadership, development and implementation of University-wide initiatives aimed at raising academic quality, improving student success, and providing New Yorkers with equal access to quality education. 

The Chief Academic AI Officer (CAAIO) at the City University of New York (CUNY) is a newly created position within the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA). The position will report to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovation and will be a member of the Executive Vice Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet. The CAAIO will regularly lead teams of indirect reports.

The CAAIO will provide strategic leadership and oversight for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across the OAA’s operations, initiatives, and community engagement. The CAAIO will ensure AI innovations align with the University's vision, objectives, and ethical guidelines while mitigating risks, maintaining transparency, ensuring compliance with University policies, relevant regulations, data privacy laws, and industry standards, and driving positive societal impact.

The CAAIO will be a key strategic leader, driving the OAA’s AI transformation, fostering innovation, promoting community impact, and ensuring the responsible and ethical adoption of AI technologies to enhance the educational experience, research capabilities, and societal impact, including the potential commercialization of university-developed AI solutions. Other key duties include, but will not be limited to the following: 

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive AI strategy aligning with the university's goals, identifying areas where AI can drive innovation, enhance student success, support faculty and research, maintain competitive advantage, and create societal value.
  • Foster a culture of responsible AI adoption and transform organizational mindsets.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage the University's AI capabilities to address community (CUNY, NYC, and New York State) needs, promote digital inclusion, and drive positive social change.
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner with academic departments, collaborating to integrate AI and emerging technologies into curriculum development and enhancing educational innovation across the university system.
  • Establish partnerships and collaborations with local organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies to implement AI solutions for societal benefit.
  • Promote public understanding and awareness of AI technologies through educational initiatives and community engagement programs.
  • Explore avenues for commercializing and monetizing the university's AI research and innovations.
  • Foster industry partnerships and collaborations to translate academic AI research into practical applications and revenue-generating products or services.
  • Establish frameworks, protocols, and best practices for the ethical, responsible, unbiased, and trustworthy use of AI technologies in education and community applications.

Other Duties

  • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, data privacy laws, and industry standards.
  • Strengthen accountability mechanisms and address issues related to AI systems.
  • Collaborate with academic departments, IT, administration, and stakeholders to conceptualize, plan, and implement AI initiatives across various areas such as personalized learning, student success, research, enrollment management, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Lead cross-functional AI project teams from ideation to execution.
  • Identify and foster partnerships for AI research, innovation, and adoption.
  • Stay abreast of the latest AI trends, technologies, and research to drive continuous learning and innovation.
  • Represent the university as an AI thought leader, engaging with industry events, academic partnerships, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

MINIMUM:

  • Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related field.
  • In-depth knowledge of AI technologies, machine learning algorithms, and data privacy regulations.
  • Exceptional leadership, collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Strong business acumen and ability to align AI capabilities with organizational strategies and revenue generation opportunities.
  • Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in AI or related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

PREFERRED:

  • Proven track record of successful AI solution design and implementation, preferably in education, community development, or related sectors.
  • Successful history of securing AI-related research funding.
  • Experience developing and implementing AI policy to guide institutional behavior 
  • Experience in change management and/or project management.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your submission.

RFCUNY Benefits

RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

About the Research Foundation

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).

RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Key Features

Department
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor
Status
Full Time
Annual Salary Range
$160,000.00 - $200,000.00
Closing Date
Nov 27, 2024 (Or Until Filled)
Bargaining Unit
No

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