On April 23, Pitt launched a monumental initiative with the official ribbon-cutting for the newly established University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Sports Analytics Cloud Innovation Center, powered by AWS. Attendees from Pitt Information Technology, Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences, Pitt Athletics, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) came together to celebrate this innovative collaboration.

As the first Cloud Innovation Center (CIC – pronounced “kick”) on the East Coast, and the first globally to focus specifically on health and athletic analytics, this partnership is poised to redefine the landscape of AI application in these critical domains.

Joe Yun, Pitt IT’s Director of AI Enablement, set the tone by highlighting the significance of this venture. "This is the first CIC to focus specifically on health sciences and sports analytics," Yun noted, expressing the transformative impact that responsible AI can have on society. He praised the University for its leadership in the use of data across both the health sciences and sports analytics, highlighted the forward-thinking approach of Pitt IT in support of the University’s research and educational mission, and emphasized AWS’s unmatched expertise in the tech industry. Together, he said, these strengths make an ideal partnership to bring this Cloud Innovation Center to fruition.

Mark Henderson, Pitt's Chief Information Officer and Vice Chancellor, emphasized the University's tradition of innovation. "The Cloud Innovation Center aligns with our ongoing efforts to enable and empower the Pitt community," Henderson said. He highlighted the CIC's role in supporting researchers, enhancing athletic programs, and preparing students for an AI-driven future.

Amazon Web Services' Vice President of Field Technology and Engineering, Dominic Delmolino, shared his excitement about the collaboration. "AWS and Pitt share a vision of using generative AI and advanced technologies to improve learning opportunities, health outcomes, and enhance the future of athletics," Delmolino stated. He underscored the importance of advancing the responsible use of emerging technologies at the collegiate level and beyond.

Uduak Ndoh, Vice Chancellor and Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Health Sciences, spoke passionately about the transformative impact of AI in the medical field. "Innovation is the bedrock of what we do," Ndoh remarked, celebrating the CIC's ability to push boundaries in data and AI technologies, and helping Pitt to achieve global prominence in the health sciences.

Ryan Varley, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Finance and Strategy for the Athletics Department, offered insights into the revolutionary impact of data analytics on sports. "There's never been a time in history in which data has been more important in athletics," Varley explained. He emphasized the CIC's role in providing coaches and student-athletes with tools for data-informed decisions, which can help Pitt teams to win “the Pitt way.”

A particularly compelling moment came when Jamie Butler, Director of Education, State and Local Government Solutions Architect at AWS, spoke. Butler, a Pitt graduate, found his passion for technology after securing a position in a computing lab at Pitt Law. His experiences taught him that meaningful progress happens at the intersection of hands-on work experience and rigorously applied education. At AWS, he is thrilled to work with universities to help them continue that journey. “Pitt is such a special place,” he says, describing his collaboration with Henderson to help achieve their vision. “Mark challenged us, asking, ‘How can we work together to do something that lives beyond us and really transforms Pitt and this region into something that is more than it is today?’ I'm really looking forward to what we're going to accomplish together.”

Henderson and Yun also pointed out the invaluable internships provided by the CIC, offering students hands-on experience with real-world challenges alongside AWS experts. The five impressive student interns who will begin working with the CIC this summer shared their stories and goals with the group.

Vincent Niedermayer, a dual major in physics and computer science, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. "This is going to be the next big thing," Niedermayer predicted, confident in the potential for groundbreaking developments in health sciences and sports analytics. Roman Koshovnyk and Varun Shelke, expressed their excitement about the unique opportunities offered by the CIC. Koshovnyk, an Econ PhD student, highlighted the center's potential in sports analytics, while Shelke, a graduate student in information science, emphasized the CIC's role in solving real problems by helping to simplify the complex. Mohammed Misran and Rowan Morse are excited to work with their cohort, as well as AWS and Pitt mentors, to learn and grow. “That's where the magic happens — when people from different perspectives come together to build a solution that really makes a difference,” Misran said. Morse agreed, noting “I like to surround myself with good people who are more experienced than myself to learn from them.”

As attendees moved downstairs for the official ribbon-cutting, the excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead were palpable. In a world where AI is rapidly transforming industry and society, Pitt, in partnership with AWS, stands at the forefront of this transformation. The CIC is not just a testament to Pitt's commitment to innovation, but a promise of a brighter, data-driven future. As Yun aptly put it, "We are in the midst of AI becoming the epicenter for how humans can use AI to change society. I think Pittsburgh is going to be the place where we can show the world how to do that."

-- By Karen Beaudway, Pitt IT Blogger