Saif Khairat to serve as chief AI officer

Saif Khairat, Beerstecher-Blackwell Distinguished Professor in the UNC School of Nursing, has accepted a secondary appointment as chief artificial intelligence officer and vice provost for AI, effective immediately.

An international expert in digital health and AI, Khairat will help develop the strategy for AI across the University and bolster and connect existing AI work across the institution. Specifically, he will help lead and fulfill Carolina’s mission of AI for Public Good: an approach rooted in public purpose, not private gain, that ensures that the invention, use and governance of AI serves the public. Through AI, Carolina aims to advance knowledge, health, opportunity, environment, government and quality of life in North Carolina and beyond.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we teach, learn, discover and serve the public, creating both new opportunities and important challenges for higher education,” said Provost Magnus Egerstedt. “Saif brings deep expertise, a strategic vision and a collaborative approach to helping Carolina navigate this moment with purpose and confidence. I’m excited to see his leadership help position our University to harness the potential of these technologies in ways that advance our mission, strengthen our impact and remain grounded in the values that define Carolina.”

Khairat holds additional appointments at the Lineberger Cancer Center and the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. He directs the NIH-funded Center for Virtual Care Value and Excellence and serves as associate director of the Carolina Health Informatics Program.

“Carolina has long been defined by its public mission and its commitment to lead in moments of change. Artificial intelligence is now reshaping discovery, education and healthcare. Carolina has extraordinary talent across every school and discipline, and the opportunity before us is to bring that expertise together with purpose,” said Khairat.

“My focus will be on advancing and integrating AI at Carolina in ways that are responsible, practical, collaborative and true to our mission to serve North Carolina and the public good. I am grateful to Provost Egerstedt for this opportunity, and I am energized by what Carolina will accomplish.”

An esteemed researcher, Khairat has authored more than 140 influential papers across 50+ peer-reviewed journals and conferences and has secured over $10 million in federal research grants as principal investigator. A known leader within the American Medical Informatics Association, he was recently inducted as a fellow of the prestigious American College of Medical Informatics.

Among Khairat’s other roles, he serves on several digital health and AI task forces nationally and globally. He advises the World Health Organization on policies to address national digital health and AI in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

Khairat earned a doctorate in health informatics and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of Missouri, and a master of public health from Carolina.