The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee celebrated a major milestone on June 25 with the grand opening of the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab, housed within the UWM Connected Systems Institute. The ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted the partnership among Microsoft Corp., the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, TitletownTech and UWM.
This new lab is Microsoft’s first AI Co-Innovation Lab focused specifically on manufacturing and will help Wisconsin businesses advance their competitive edge through AI. It follows Microsoft’s landmark $3.3 billion investment in Wisconsin aimed at building AI infrastructure and accelerating digital transformation across the state.
The lab also will play a vital role in workforce development. Students from various academic disciplines will gain experiential learning opportunities by working directly with businesses on AI-driven projects. Faculty members will also apply their expertise to real-world challenges, further bridging the gap between academia and industry.
“This research is going to create cutting-edge knowledge to truly advance manufacturing in a globally competitive way,” said UWM Chancellor Mark Mone. “This is the future of education. It’s not just about what we do in the classroom or in the labs, but it’s about breaking the boundaries and saying we want to have this impact and influence around the world.”
The lab has already had an impact. Over the past year, while operating from a temporary location on the UWM campus, it worked with a select group of Wisconsin-based small and medium-sized manufacturing companies to develop AI-powered solutions — from real-time fault detection in industrial machinery to multilingual voice assistants that streamline logistics operations.
How it works
The lab’s flexible engagement model allows companies to participate in either full prototyping sprints — resulting in scalable, working solutions — or design sessions focused on feasibility and architecture. To date, approximately 10 companies have completed the program, each leaving with a functional prototype tailored to their specific business needs.
Access to the lab is facilitated through the UWM Connected Systems Institue and TitletownTech, which assess applicants based on their technical readiness and commitment to solving meaningful business challenges. Participation is free of charge, and companies retain full ownership of their intellectual property.
The initiative positions Wisconsin as a national leader in applied AI innovation and economic competitiveness. This lab is one of two Microsoft AI Co-Innovation labs in the U.S., and one of five in the world.
