Exciting Leadership Change: Meet the New CIO at University of Wisconsin-Madison!

Georgia Tech recently announced that Didier Contis, the executive director of Academic Technology, Innovation, and Research Computing, will leave to become the chief information officer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’ll start this new role on July 7.

During his time at Georgia Tech, Contis initiated several key projects. He set up the school’s first GPU-enabled virtual computer lab and secured grant funding from Cisco Systems to create a cybersecurity lab. He also helped in the development of a federated private academic cloud. One exciting project he worked on is the AI Makerspace initiative in the College of Engineering. This program focuses on empowering faculty and students to delve into artificial intelligence through hands-on learning and experimentation.

Leo Howell, Georgia Tech’s CIO, praised Contis for his significant contributions. He mentioned that Contis was pivotal in enhancing the university’s approach to research computing and academic innovation.

Contis has also been involved in national projects funded by the National Science Foundation. Notably, he coauthored a white paper on privacy and ethics in extended reality environments, which is available through Educause.

The emphasis on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence reflects current trends in academic technology. With cybersecurity threats on the rise—recently, 43% of organizations reported experiencing cyberattacks in the last year—contis’ work could play a key role in protecting academic institutions.

As technology grows more complex, leaders like Contis are essential for guiding institutions through innovative changes. The impact of his efforts could resonate well beyond Georgia Tech, influencing academic standards and practices nationwide.

For more details about research in higher education and related topics, you can explore additional resources at Educause.

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