Virginia has an opportunity to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by uniting Virginia’s leading universities, industry partners, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
In 2026, the Commonwealth of Virginia committed $500,000 in General Fund support to coordinate the planning and development of the CAII. This state-supported planning effort will bring together Virginia’s universities and public-private sector stakeholders to develop a coordinated statewide plan for the initiative. The effort will build on the Commonwealth’s existing AI research, infrastructure, partnerships, and areas of expertise to develop a coordinated vision for the initiative.
Together, we are building a collaborative AI ecosystem that advances research, develops talent, accelerates innovation, and drives economic growth across Virginia.
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry — from healthcare and education to manufacturing, cybersecurity, and government.
No single institution can address the opportunities and challenges of AI alone. The CAII creates a connected network where higher education, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations collaborate to solve complex problems, develop emerging technologies, and prepare Virginia’s workforce for the future.
As other states invest heavily in AI innovation, Virginia has an opportunity to lead through collaboration.
The CAII creates a statewide ecosystem that brings together public and private partners to:
CAII is entering a statewide planning process designed to bring Virginia’s AI community together around a shared vision and strategy. Over the next several months, higher education, state, nonprofit, and industry leaders will:
Virginia’s strength lies in its ability to connect world-class universities, innovative companies, government leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Through collaboration, the CAII will:
Together, we can build an AI ecosystem that benefits businesses, communities, and citizens throughout the Commonwealth.
The CAII is actively seeking partners from higher education, industry, government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit community.
Whether you’re interested in research, workforce development, innovation, investment, or policy, we invite you to help shape Virginia’s AI future.
Megan Barnett, Vice Provost for Pan-University Initiatives, University of Virginia
mab7y@virginia.edu
Penny Cabaniss, AVP of External Relations, University of Virginia
pqc2f@virginia.edu
The CAII is led by a coalition of Virginia’s premier higher education institutions and statewide organizations: