2/26/2025 Bruce Adams
On Friday, February 21, The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Discovery Partners Institute hosted a gathering in downtown Chicago. The featured guest was U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (8-IL.).Industry partners and community members toured DPI classrooms, were welcomed with opening remarks, observed a panel discussion on "Preparing for the AI-Powered Workforce," and participated in an open conversation with industry leaders.
Written by Bruce Adams
Considering Chicago was once dubbed “The City that Works,” it’s also the perfect location to host a recent event about AI's role in the future workforce.
On Friday, February 21, The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Discovery Partners Institute hosted industry partners and community members for a panel discussion on "Preparing for the AI-Powered Workforce." The event highlighted opportunities and challenges new AI tools and skills bring to the economy, while underscoring Grainger Engineering’s role as a sought-after source for AI expertise, shaping national conversations on AI education and workforce readiness.
U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8) was the featured guest and highlighted the importance of AI leadership.
“Staying on the cutting edge of transformative technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is critical to ensuring that the United States maintains leadership over our strategic competitors like the Chinese Communist Party,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Programs that effectively develop the skilled workforce able to command these sophisticated technologies deserve more attention and federal resources. The University of Illinois’ Grainger College of Engineering and Discovery Partners Institute are exemplary institutions and are instrumental to training the next generation of experts.”
Laurel Passantino, assistant dean for research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering, moderated the panel of Grainger Engineering experts and spoke on behalf of Grainger Engineering’s award winning research portfolio.
“Over just a few short years, it has become clear how prevalent and important the proper development of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, will be to our society’s future” Passantino said. “Already, we at Grainger Engineering are working in many different areas to lead the way in AI development and practice. Our researchers and instructors compose a top-five ranked AI program that accounts for nearly $270 million in funding for AI related projects. Our Urbana-Champaign campus has six research centers or institutes devoted to digital transformation and AI. These entities work on projects intersecting AI with Manufacturing, Interactive Conversational Experiences, Agriculture, and Education.
Our educational and training initiatives in AI prepare the next generation workforce. We also work to make sure that our presence meets communities where they are as we foster deep collaboration with our Chicago partners.”
Deba Dutta, interim executive director of Discovery Partners Institute and senior advisor to the president of the University of Illinois System, introduced attendees to DPI’s mission and industry-academia partnerships for workforce development.
Mahesh Viswanathan, Illinois Grainger Engineering professor and senior associate director Computer Science in Chicago, emphasized the college’s commitment to a well-rounded AI education.
"AI education is not just about technical proficiency—it’s about preparing a workforce that understands the ethical, societal, and economic implications of AI. At Grainger College of Engineering, we are shaping the future by integrating AI across disciplines, fostering hands-on learning, and ensuring innovation is balanced with responsibility," he said.
A guided tour for Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlighted DPI as a growing center for AI education and workforce training, including Grainger Engineering’s new Master’s in Computer Science program, reinforcing the university’s expanding presence in Chicago. A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring U. of I. faculty members leading groundbreaking AI initiatives.
H. Chad Lane from the College of Education and NSF INVITE AI Institute spoke about advancing AI research for K-12 STEM education programs and AI capacity building for educators.
Heng Ji from The Illinois Grainger College of Engineering Siebel School of Computing and Data Science discussed conversational AI for consumer applications and AI workforce preparation in engineering fields.
Viswanathan presented on cross-disciplinary programs, new programs focused on Chicago, and providing computer science education at scale featuring cutting edge AI courses
CS professor Tiffani Williams spoke about the iCAN program and expanding access to AI education and career pathways.
Mark Harris from Pritzker Tech Talent Labs discussed connecting talent to AI-driven industries through reskilling and upskilling programs.
As AI continues to transform industries, The Grainger College of Engineering remains at the forefront—providing expertise sought after by industry and policymakers, conducting pioneering research, and delivering large-scale programs that prepare the workforce of tomorrow. The event reaffirmed the college’s role in ensuring that AI education and workforce development remain not just priorities, but imperatives for the future.
Grainger Engineering Affiliations
Laurel Passantino is assistant dean for research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering.
Mahesh Viswanathan is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor of computer science is affiliated with the Information Trust Institute and is senior associate director Computer Science in Chicago.
Heng Ji is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor of computer science and is affiliated with electrical and computer engineering and the Coordinated Science Lab and is the Founding Director of Amazon-Illinois Center on AI for Interactive Conversational Experiences (AICE).
Tiffani Williams is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor of computer science.
H. Chad Lane is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor of computer science and is associate department chair & professor, educational psychology in the College of Education.