John Byers Appointed Executive Director of AIDA 

John Byers, Professor of Computer Science (CAS) and Hariri Institute Faculty Affiliate, was appointed the Executive Director of Boston University’s Artificial Intelligence Development Accelerator for Academic and Administrative Excellence (AIDA) and AI advisor to the Provost, effective November 1. Ken Lutchen, who previously served as interim Executive Director of AIDA, was named Vice President and Associate Provost in the Office of Research, effective September 1, 2025.

Byers brings deep expertise in AI, along with more than two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, academic leadership, research, and teaching.  In his role as Executive Director of AIDA, Byers will oversee the incorporation of generative AI into the University’s academic and administrative environment to elevate the educational and experiential excellence of Boston University students, faculty, and staff. His role as AI advisor to the provost ensures that the Office of the Provost, in tandem with AIDA, helps schools and colleges prepare their graduates for a workforce that will need to be fluent in generative AI.

Learn more here.