Charlotte AI Institute’s new strategic plan lays the groundwork for innovative AI-centered research and transformative collaboration

Written by: Susan Messina

The Charlotte AI Institute for Research announces the release of its Strategic Plan 2026-2033. Known by the acronym CLTAI², the Charlotte AI Institute for Research launched in 2025 at UNC Charlotte as a hub for defining cutting-edge discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development and connection with collaborators across the Charlotte region and beyond.

With input from faculty, staff, and students across the University, the Launching a New Era of Innovation: The Charlotte AI Institute for Research Strategic Plan 2026-2033 presents an inclusive foundation to guide the momentum driving UNC Charlotte to the forefront of AI research prominence. Guided by the plan, the University will deliver high-impact research and innovation, fast-tracked technology transfer and commercialization, cross-sector collaborations and multilevel knowledge sharing. 

“Charlotte’s growth depends on pairing leading research with real-world adoption,” said Tim Walsh, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and advisory board chair, UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics. “The Charlotte AI Institute for Research’s strategic plan provides a roadmap for applied, responsible AI — strengthening talent pipelines, accelerating technology transfer and convening cross-sector collaborators to turn ideas into measurable impact across the Carolinas.”

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 ThinkAI Research and Innovation Symposium 

Thursday, May 14 | The Dubois Center | Uptown Charlotte

Co-sponsors: CLTAI² | UNC Charlotte Division of Research | AI//Forward

CLTAI²‘s early success

Over the past several months, alongside spearheading the development of its strategic plan, CLTAI² made strides toward its vision to “forge bold, life-changing AI solutions to improve people’s lives across the Charlotte region and around the globe” as it accomplished the following:

• Hosted six ThinkAI Meetup sessions, which convened CLTAI²-affiliated faculty (affiliate sign-up) for connection, collaboration and idea sharing
• Facilitated AI-related proposals that encompassed supporting programs in AI literacy, convening industry partners to develop AI-backed leadership training and accelerating data analysis for national security purposes, with additional submissions forthcoming
• Supported development of ethical guardrails for AI use and research by the AI Research Council, whose report is expected later in 2026 
• Received a National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center award to launch the Center for Identification Technology Research