Dow and Illinois Expand Partnership to Advance AI and Data Analytics
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dow Inc. announced its new Delivery Center at the University of Illinois Research Park. This initiative builds on the existing partnership to advance innovation in artificial intelligence and analytics while creating new opportunities for students, faculty, and industry collaboration.
The center will support Dow’s efforts to scale data-driven decision-making across the company and is organized around four focus areas: data excellence, business strategy, applied use cases, and AI governance. Together, these pillars provide the foundation for developing, implementing, and overseeing AI solutions that support business operations across Dow’s global enterprise.
The Delivery Center strengthens Dow’s longstanding relationship with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and places the company within a community of corporate innovation centers that collaborate with students, faculty, and researchers.
“To have this association and strong alignment with the University of Illinois, building on what we’ve been doing together for years in R&D, and now bringing IT and AI into that alignment, is an exciting time.” - Chris Bruman, Chief Data Analytics Officer at Dow
The center’s work ranges from enhancing the company’s data foundation to finding practical ways to apply AI across the business. As companies continue to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance operations and decision-making, they must ensure those new tools are supported by strong data practices and oversight.
The new location provides Dow with access to Illinois talent in computer science, engineering, data science, and related disciplines. It also creates additional opportunities for students to engage with industry through internships, research collaborations, and experiential learning opportunities.
“Dow is a global leader in materials science with decades of experience in data science and pioneering work in AI and machine learning. This on-campus location will facilitate faculty collaboration, student experiential employment through the University of Illinois, and connections with other technology leaders throughout the Research Park.” - Laura Appenzeller, Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park
Dow has maintained a long relationship with Illinois through recruiting, research engagement, and participation in the Research Park community. The opening of the Delivery Center marks the latest chapter in the partnership and shows the company’s commitment to advancing AI and analytics while staying connected to one of the nation’s leading public research universities.