Vanderbilt University’s College of Connected Computing has launched the Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center, a “living laboratory” that will catalyze ethical, human-centered use of generative and agentic AI in research, teaching and learning, student success, administrative operations, and external partnerships. The center is co-led by Center Director and Professor of Computer Science Jules White and Chief AI and Technology Officer Allen Karns.
“The Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center reflects Vanderbilt’s dare to grow commitment across disciplines—bringing human-centered AI to research, teaching and service in ways that elevate our community and society,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said.
The center will provide tools, training and collaboration pathways that enable students, faculty and staff to work smarter and create more—while prioritizing privacy, ethics and academic integrity. It will also serve as a front door for corporate and government partners to pilot real-world use cases that deliver meaningful impact.
White and Karns pioneered the open-source Amplify AI platform, which delivers secure, enterprise-wide AI tools—such as GPT-based assistants tailored to academic use cases—at scale. Already more than 10,000 Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff use the Amplify platform, and it is being tested by more than 40 higher education institutions nationwide. In addition, White has developed a robust set of AI educational courses through Coursera, which has enrolled more than 1,000,000 learners to date.
“The development of the Amplify platform and the educational resources delivered through Coursera equip our students, faculty and staff with the secure tools and learning experiences they need to advance their scholarship, teaching and administrative work—and to use powerful new AI resources responsibly and effectively,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Cybele Raver.
White and Karns have emerged as leading experts in using AI to augment knowledge and enhance productivity. They have delivered keynote addresses to companies like Meta, Oracle and Wells Fargo; they have briefed an AI working group in the U.S. Senate; and each has been featured in a variety of global news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Washington Post and CNN.
“Our focus is augmented intelligence—using generative and agentic AI to extend what people can do, with practices that protect privacy and uphold academic values,” White said.
Matthew Johnson-Roberson, dean of the College of Connected Computing, said the Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center delivers squarely on his school’s mission to deliver “computing for all,” especially in a rapidly emerging area like AI.
“The College of Connected Computing connects computing with every field of study,” Johnson-Roberson said. “The Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center embodies that mission by turning advances in AI into practical impact across campus and beyond.”
Karns points out that Amplify will be a key platform for Vanderbilt’s campus, as well as for academic, corporate and government partners as the center develops.
“By coordinating programs, pilots and partnerships—especially with the calling card of the Amplify platform—the Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center will help partners adopt AI thoughtfully and at scale,” Karns said.
About the Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center
The Amplify Generative AI Innovation Center is Vanderbilt University’s interdisciplinary hub for advancing human-centered applications of generative and agentic AI in research, education, operations and partnerships. The center builds on Vanderbilt’s growing record of AI thought leadership and collaboration across disciplines.
About the College of Connected Computing
Vanderbilt’s College of Connected Computing unites computing with disciplines across the university to drive discovery, learning and innovation that benefit society.
