Lexington, Kentucky, November 26, 2025
The University of Kentucky has announced a partnership with Microsoft aimed at advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence across the state. This collaboration, part of the Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI), will enhance education, healthcare, and research by providing access to Microsoft AI tools for students, faculty, and staff. The initiative also includes a new online course in AI and a hands-on workshop focused on Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio. This partnership aims to position Kentucky as a leader in AI innovation.
Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky (UK) has partnered with Microsoft to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the state. This collaboration aims to enhance education, healthcare, and research by integrating cutting-edge AI tools into various sectors.
As part of the Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI), UK becomes a corporate partner in the Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network. This partnership provides students, faculty, and staff with access to Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365, and the newly announced Agent Store. Additionally, UK developers will utilize GitHub Copilot to create internal AI solutions, while healthcare professionals will employ Dragon Copilot to improve patient care. The research community will benefit from Microsoft’s Discovery Platform to support ongoing studies.
The UK President emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating that it positions Kentucky at the forefront of responsible AI adoption and innovation. The partnership reflects a shared mission to apply AI tools to address real challenges within communities.
The collaboration aligns with a directive from the UK Board of Trustees to establish the university as the “partner-institution-of-choice” for advancing AI in Kentucky. Through CATS AI and the AKT Network, UK and Microsoft aim to develop scalable models for integrating AI across education, research, service, and healthcare sectors.
In addition to the partnership, UK is offering a new online course titled “Transdisciplinary Educational Approaches to Advance Kentucky (TEK 100): Collaborative Intelligence – Understanding and Using Modern AI.” This course is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world. The course will be available twice during the Spring 2026 semester, running from January 12 through March 2, and from March 9 through May 8.
The collaboration also includes plans for a workshop on December 1, 2025, titled “Leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio (Beginner).” This hands-on lab will explore Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI-powered tool integrated into applications like Word, Excel, and Teams, and introduce Copilot Studio, a low-code platform for building custom AI solutions and automating workflows.
Through these initiatives, the University of Kentucky and Microsoft aim to foster innovation and ensure that every student, employee, and community member has access to the tools driving the future of AI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI)?
The Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI) is the University of Kentucky’s comprehensive framework for advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, research, health care, and operations. Led by an institution-wide council of academic, research, healthcare, and administrative leaders, CATS AI connects, coordinates, and amplifies AI initiatives across UK’s 17 colleges, libraries, UK HealthCare, research centers, and institutes.
What is the Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network?
The Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network is a statewide partnership that unites UK’s research, service, and learning capabilities with partners to co-create solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve well-being across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
What tools will be available to UK students, faculty, and staff through this partnership?
Through the partnership, UK students, faculty, and staff will have access to Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365, and the newly announced Agent Store. Additionally, UK developers will use GitHub Copilot to deliver internal AI solutions, and healthcare professionals will utilize Dragon Copilot to enhance patient care. The research enterprise will take advantage of Microsoft’s Discovery Platform to support various studies.
What is the new online course offered by UK?
UK is offering a new online course titled “Transdisciplinary Educational Approaches to Advance Kentucky (TEK 100): Collaborative Intelligence – Understanding and Using Modern AI.” This course is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world. The course will be available twice during the Spring 2026 semester, running from January 12 through March 2, and from March 9 through May 8.
What is the upcoming workshop on December 1, 2025?
The collaboration includes plans for a workshop on December 1, 2025, titled “Leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio (Beginner).” This hands-on lab will explore Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI-powered tool integrated into applications like Word, Excel, and Teams, and introduce Copilot Studio, a low-code platform for building custom AI solutions and automating workflows.
Key Features of the UK-Microsoft AI Collaboration
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Partnership Overview | Collaboration between the University of Kentucky and Microsoft to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence across education, healthcare, and research sectors in Kentucky. |
| Access to AI Tools | Provision of Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365, and the Agent Store to UK students, faculty, and staff. Developers will use GitHub Copilot, and healthcare professionals will utilize Dragon Copilot to enhance patient care. Researchers will access Microsoft’s Discovery Platform for ongoing studies. |
| Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI) | A comprehensive framework for advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, research, health care, and operations, connecting and amplifying AI initiatives across UK’s colleges, libraries, UK HealthCare, research centers, and institutes. |
| Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network | A statewide partnership that unites UK’s research, service, and learning capabilities with partners to co-create solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve well-being across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. |
| New Online Course | Introduction of “Transdisciplinary Educational Approaches to Advance Kentucky (TEK 100): Collaborative Intelligence – Understanding and Using Modern AI,” an online course designed to equip students with skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world, offered twice during the Spring 2026 semester. |
| Upcoming Workshop | Scheduled workshop on December 1, 2025, titled “Leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio (Beginner),” focusing on exploring Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio to build custom AI solutions and automate workflows. |
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