The foundation of HAIL is informed by the work of the Data Science Task Force, chaired by now Dean Bruce Childers and then-Vice Provost Steve Wisniewski. The Final Report of the Data Science Task Force called for a “control tower” that could coordinate the energy in data science throughout the campus without duplicating the resources and services of the existing schools and programs across Pitt. As such, HAIL, emerging from RDS@Pitt, is operated out of the Office of the Provost in tight coordination with Pitt Research (see Executive Committee) to ensure a whole-of-University view is maintained.
The Year of Data and Society (YoDaS), successfully led by Nora Mattern during the 2021-2022 academic year, illustrated two added features that have been incorporated into RDS@Pitt. First, the many exciting groups working across campus surface, many of whom were unaware of groups across campus working on similar if distinct problems. Second, through the investment of efficient resources, we saw that coordinating these networks into a coherent, polycentric organization led to exciting interdisciplinary synergies.
RDS@Pitt (Responsible Data Science at the University of Pittsburgh) was established in 2023 to embed responsible, real-world decision-making, and human-centered values into data science education, research, and workforce development across the university. It focused on translating abstract principles—like fairness, accountability, and transparency—into practical tools, curricula, and partnerships that helped students, faculty, and industry collaborators navigate the social and organizational realities of data-driven work. Through interdisciplinary programming, scenario-based learning, and deep engagement with external partners, RDS@Pitt built a shared language around responsible innovation and demonstrated the importance of leadership, judgment, and context in AI and data science.
This work laid the conceptual, operational, and cultural foundation for HAIL by proving the need for a unifying hub that moves beyond literacy toward cultivating agency, confidence, and accountability—positioning Pitt to lead in human-centered AI and data science leadership at scale.