Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered October 7 to celebrate the unveiling of Concordia University Wisconsin’s new AI & Quantum Innovation Lab on campus.
The university’s newest space not only anchors the school’s cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence program, but also provides tools to expand human creativity and discovery.
The celebration featured special remarks and interactive demonstrations, including virtual reality experiences and an introduction to “Solomon,” the university’s most powerful computer, developed by Dr. Michael Litman, professor and chair of Computer Science.
“The lab will be a place where innovation meets integrity,” said Dr. Robert Balza, associate vice president of Academics for Teaching, Learning and Academic Innovation. He emphasized that the space, which is rooted in Concordia’s mission to help students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world, treats AI and quantum not merely as engines of efficiency, but as tools for service, preparing vocation-ready graduates.
However, the program, which leads to a Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence, doesn’t start with tools; it starts with values. Concordia’s “Christian emphasis on the distinctive powers of the human soul and the ethical use of AI” is imperative, explained Dr. Angus Menuge, professor and chair of Philosophy.
Mission of CUW’s AI & Quantum Innovation Lab
What distinguishes Concordia’s Innovation Lab from others in the state is its mission-driven foundation—integrating faith and technology to deepen and enrich learning.
The new lab will strive to:
- Deepen understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing while confronting the ethical dilemmas these technologies pose.
- Build bridges between students, faculty, and industry partners to create meaningful collaborations that advance both knowledge and application.
- Provide hands-on opportunities through internships, projects, and research that prepare students to serve and lead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
- Incubate and accelerate student and faculty-led initiatives, including grant-funded projects, that align innovation with service to community and society.
More information on AI at CUW
- To learn more about the lab, including current research and areas of focus, click here.
- View the biblical guidelines created by members of CUW’s Theology Department here.
- To consult with the AI team about a project, fill out the form here.
- Read the article on the Applied Artificial Intelligence program here.
The AI & Quantum Innovation Lab is located in the lower level of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center on Concordia’s campus, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon.
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. The Applied AI program is designed to prepare students to lead in one of the fastest growing career paths today using technical skills, ethical reflection, and real-world problem-solving skills.