UofL launches Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation to advance research, education

The University of Louisville has launched the Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation (KCDI) to advance cybersecurity and artificial intelligence through cutting-edge research, workforce development and industry collaboration. The center will supercharge established efforts across the university, including the J.B. Speed School of Engineering’s HIVE Cybersecurity Center and the Digital Transformation Center, to foster a secure and innovative digital future for Kentucky and beyond.

“The Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation will advance pioneering research and innovation in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, addressing critical needs for a secure and prosperous digital future for our community,” President Gerry Bradley said. “Supporting Cardinal Intelligence, this center will synergize AI research and talent initiatives across the university, amplifying their impact for the university and the state of Kentucky.” 

The center will advance research and industry engagement as part of the UofL Office of Research and Innovation under new director V. K. Cody Bumgardner, Ph.D., a computer scientist and technology innovator who most recently served as director of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence and assistant dean for artificial intelligence and data science in the UK College of Medicine. The center’s collaborative work will include faculty from the UofL School of Medicine, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the Colleges of Business, Education and Human Development and Arts and Sciences, along with UofL Health. 

“By bringing these efforts together under one center, we will secure the University of Louisville’s and the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s leadership in AI and cybersecurity,” Bumgardner said. “Together we will create transformative technologies that inspire our people and solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.”

KCDI will enhance existing world-class expertise and workforce training efforts at UofL to drive groundbreaking research and develop solutions that address real-world challenges in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the university plans to construct secure facilities suitable for classified research and contract work and a cyber range to simulate cyberattacks for training as part of the center’s infrastructure. 

“This infrastructure is crucial for the growth of the technology sector in Kentucky. KCDI will provide AI and cybersecurity capabilities that expand opportunities for research and provide much needed support to our business community,” said Will Metcalf, associate vice president for research and innovation.

Since 2006, UofL has been recognized by National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for undergraduate and graduate cyber defense education. Building upon this success, KCDI was launched thanks to $10 million in state appropriation funding. During its first three years, center leaders aim to build deep partnerships with the business community and government agencies that leverage UofL’s expertise in AI and cybersecurity to grow Kentucky’s economy.  KCDI will host public events such as cybersecurity awareness seminars that educate Kentuckians and increase our resilience to cyber threats. They also plan to grow cybersecurity and AI programs that strengthen Kentucky’s tech talent pipeline. 

About Cardinal Intelligence

Cardinal Intelligence empowers the University of Louisville to lead and learn in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) with human-centered guidance and responsibility. For generations, Cardinals have embraced technology, expanding how we learn, discover, connect and work. While AI raises important questions, our students, faculty, researchers and staff bring the curiosity and innovation needed to find answers. Through Cardinal Intelligence, we are shaping how UofL uses AI to advance our university and uncover solutions that strengthen the communities we serve.