Three Award Categories Recognize Excellence in AI  

Beginning in 2025, there are three award categories to recognize faculty, researchers and staff members who have excelled in integrating AI into their curriculum and research. Award winners were announced during AI Days, October 27-29, in the UF Reitz Union, with award distribution on Wednesday, October 29, to these deserving individuals who are making a difference in artificial intelligence at the University of Florida. 

AI Awards in Teaching and Learning

The AI² Center, the Center for Teaching Excellence, and the Center for Instructional Technology & Training are honoring UF educators who have made significant contributions using AI in teaching and learning. These awards recognize instructors and instructional teams for adopting, implementing, creatively using, and championing AI. Our 2025 award winners are shown below. 

AI HiPerGator Awards 

UF Research Computing honors researchers who have made significant contributions to AI using UF's supercomputer HiPerGator. These awards are HiPerGator Pioneering Team Awards and HiPerGator Early Career Awards. 

AI Research Awards

The AI & Informatics Research Institute honors researchers who have made significant contributions to AI and Informatics. They recognized three individuals in 2025 with the AI Research Excellence Award, the AI Research Early Career Award, and the AI Research Dissertation Award.

2024 AI Award Winners

• Sanethia Thomas, AI Educator of the Year
• Diego Alvarado, AI Educator of the Year
• Kaitlin Alexander, AI Teaching Integration Award
• Garrett Beatty, AI Across the Curriculum Award
• Rougu Fang, AI Course Award
• Mickie MacKie, AI Rising Star Award