About

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2025) — University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto today announced the launch of CATS AI, an initiative designed to coordinate and advance artificial intelligence efforts and expertise across the UK campus and throughout the Commonwealth. 

About CATS AI 

CATS (Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy) AI will serve as a central hub to integrate AI activities across UK’s 17 colleges, libraries, research centers and institutes, as well as its academic and health care enterprises. 

“Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world — expanding access to information, transforming workplaces, reimagining research and innovation, and revolutionizing health care,” Capilouto said. “At the University of Kentucky, we are committed to becoming an AI university — where AI enhances how we teach, learn, research, heal and serve the Commonwealth.” 

Goals and impact 

The initiative builds on a recent resolution by the UK Board of Trustees, charging the university to become Kentucky’s “partner of choice” for the responsible use and expansion of AI. CATS AI will leverage AI to advance UK’s mission of improving health and well-being through the Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network. 

To do this, CATS AI will support a range of efforts, including:

• AI literacy, training and tools for all UK employees to improve workplace efficiency. 

• AI-enabled resources for students, including academic support tools and exploration opportunities. 

• Potential development of an AI-themed residence hall. 

• Health care innovation through expanded use of ambient listening tools and improved rural access to care. 

• Enhanced research collaboration using digital discovery platforms and advanced computing infrastructure. 

“AI is changing every part of our economy, and Kentucky must guide that change responsibly and purposefully. The University of Kentucky’s CATS AI initiative gives our commonwealth a partner that can help us prepare students, support workers and modernize services in a way that strengthens public trust of this rapidly advancing technology,” said state Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe. “As co-chair of the AI Task Force, I’m encouraged to see our higher-education institutions stepping up to lead in this moment. This will prove a positive example of how to utilize and integrate AI, and it will prepare future members of the workforce on how to make the most of it in a beneficial way.” 

“Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword. It is a transformative tool that is reshaping how we live, work and deliver care,” said state Rep. Josh Bray, who is co-chair of the state’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force. “The University of Kentucky’s CATS AI initiative will help ensure Kentucky leads in the responsible use of AI, from improving health care access in rural communities to advancing research, education and workforce training. I appreciate UK taking this forward-looking approach that keeps innovation grounded in service to people and progress for our Commonwealth.”   

Governance and leadership 

A steering committee of university leaders will oversee five subcommittees focused on education, research, student experience, health care and workplace administration. Initially, the CATS AI hub will be led by interim co-directors Ian McClure, UK vice president for innovation, and Heath Price, associate vice president for partnerships. A search for a permanent director will begin soon. 

“This is an inflection point to lead, just as those who came before us did when they created institutions to respond to transformative technologies,” Capilouto said. “This is our moment to ensure Kentucky not only keeps pace with change but helps shape it.” 

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2025) — The University of Kentucky must be the “partner-of-choice” for developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies as part of its mission to advance the health of Kentucky.

That was the strong direction outlined in a resolution adopted by the UK Board of Trustees and given to President Eli Capilouto and the campus at the conclusion of its annual retreat over two days this past week in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

“Over the past few years, we have continually challenged President Capilouto and the campus to accelerate their efforts to advance this state — its health, its economy and its education,” said UK Board Chair Britt Brockman. “In this resolution, we are charging our president and campus … to be the partner-of-choice across this state in the development of AI and associated technologies. We can be a leader here. Or we can be left behind. We must be a leader.”

The resolution is an extension of the charge the board gave to Capilouto and the campus last year at its retreat — to create a network, now called the Advancing Kentucky Together Network (AKT Network) — that pushes UK to work with partners across the state to do more than any institution in the country to advance the overall health of the state it serves.

During the board’s annual retreat this year, members also received extensive briefings from UK Cooperative Extension leaders, visited the UK Research and Education Center at Princeton Station Research Farm, and engaged in feedback sessions regarding the progress over the last year made in the development of the AKT Network.

Several partners across the state — in education, life sciences and health care — have signed onto the AKT Network and dozens more have inquired about engaging with UK. The resolution from last week’s retreat calls on the university to accelerate the network’s expansion by significantly expanding efforts across the campus and Commonwealth to utilize AI and other technologies.

“Today, the University of Kentucky strives to be the partner-of-choice in AI and technology development — now and in the future.  And what does it mean to be the partner-of-choice?” asked UK President Eli Capilouto.  “To move with a spirit of humility and generosity…to listen and learn more, together…to be the institution people turn to as we turn to them…and all for the sake — the promise — of a healthier, wealthier and wiser Commonwealth.”

Specifically, the resolution highlights the four key areas of AKT Network partnerships — health care access and innovation, education and opportunity pipelines, economic and workforce development, and community and land-grant engagement — and directs the university to use AI to accelerate progress through partnerships.

Some of the key goals outlined in the resolution include:

• Expanding care delivery beyond traditional settings using AI tools such as virtual assistants and remote care platforms, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.
• Developing accelerated degree pathways in high-demand sectors like health care and manufacturing to fast-track students into the workforce.
• Creating seamless transfer and career pathways in key sectors like health care and manufacturing to maximize credit transfer and degree completion.
• Deepen community relationships through listening, co-creation and mutual benefit.
• Expanding and promoting UK Cooperative Extension programs in mental health, financial literacy and youth development tailored to local needs.

“That is how we will further our goal of advancing the overall health of the Commonwealth — by leveraging with others what only we can do across research, education, service and care…translating that progress into purpose,” Capilouto said. “For Kentucky to advance, we must push her to lead…and for artificial intelligence, we are the right institution, with the right people and talent, to do so. And that sentiment — the right people, at the right place and at the most important time — working together, leveraging their expertise and talent, in a spirit of partnership, to harness these powerful technologies for good in our state.”

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2025) — Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) has been recognized as a 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings assist parents and caregivers, along with their physicians, in navigating the challenges of finding the best possible care for children with serious illnesses or complex medical needs. KCH was ranked nationally in two areas of specialized care: pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, and orthopedics. 

“At the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare, our primary goal is to advance the overall health of Kentucky — that begins with the youngest of patients,” said Robert DiPaola, M.D., co-executive vice president for health affairs and provost at UK. “Our team members and partners deliver excellent care across a spectrum of subspecialties. We are honored to be recognized nationally for our commitment to the quality care we provide Kentucky’s children.”

“Healthy children grow into healthy adults, shaping a stronger future for Kentucky,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., physician-in-chief for KCH. “Our pediatric cardiology program — recognized through our joint ranking with Cincinnati Children’s — remains among the best in the nation, and our partnership with Shriners Children’s in Lexington brings nationally recognized expertise in orthopedics. These achievements reflect the dedication of our teams and the strength of our collaborations, ensuring families across Kentucky can access the most advanced treatments and technology without leaving the state.”

The Joint Pediatric and Congenital Heart Program, a collaboration between KCH and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, is ranked 11th in the country in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. This ranking also includes patients treated through the adult congenital heart program, a collaboration with UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart and Vascular Institute for adult patients who were born with congenital heart defects.

“We are proud to once again be ranked among the nation’s top programs for children’s heart care,” said Carl L. Backer, M.D., director of the KCH section of the Joint Pediatric Heart Care Program. “Through our collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s, we are ensuring that every child in Kentucky has access to the most advanced treatments and technology. Families can trust that they are receiving world-class heart care close to home.”

KCH also ranks in the top 50 nationally in pediatric orthopedics, offering expert care for children with bone and joint conditions while supporting healthy growth and development.

“This national recognition highlights the advanced care and outcomes our team delivers,” said Vishwas R. Talwalkar, M.D., professor of pediatric orthopedics and chief medical officer for Shriners Medical Center in Lexington. “Together, KCH and Shriners Children’s can leverage cutting-edge techniques and collaborative expertise to treat complex musculoskeletal conditions, helping children to thrive and be active.”

For the 2025-26 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 118 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.

“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than just excelling in a single specialty — it means being a pillar of outstanding care for your entire region,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News & World Report. “Our rankings acknowledge these hospitals for their comprehensive excellence, helping families find the very best care conveniently located within their state and community.”

The full rankings for the 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals national, regional/state and specialty rankings can be found at USNews.com. For more information, explore #BestChildrensHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and X.

UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.

As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.