Shaping Sustainable AI and Data Centers Together
The Michigan Futures Initiative (MFI) will soon launch its first pilot, a Moonshot sprint on ethical and sustainable AI and data centers. This project is designed to accelerate real-world impact while inviting collaboration across research, policy, industry, and communities.
2025 Pilot | Data Centers Moonshot
October 30, 2025
Host Data Centers, AI, and the Climate Challenge Symposium (Event Recap)
Month 0
Announce 9-month sprint and Moonshot competition
Month 1
Provide seed funding to interdisciplinary teams to yield key questions, goals, and metrics
Months 2-8
Teams engage with stakeholders to inform research questions, metrics, and design
Month 9
Select 3-5 interdisciplinary teams through peer review for deeper university investment and focused support from key stakeholders
Why Michigan?
With expertise in AI, ethics, law, policy, and sustainability, the University of Michigan is uniquely positioned to co-create solutions that are both globally relevant and locally grounded. Over 700 AI scholars and dozens of cross-unit partners can contribute to defining the next generation of sustainable infrastructure.
Collaboration in Action
This pilot will engage a wide range of partners across and beyond U-M. The Graham Sustainability Institute will provide backbone support by convening researchers, designing engagement activities, coordinating partners, and supporting communications. The Office of the Vice President for Research will strengthen research clusters, organize expert panels, and co-design impact metrics. There are many ways to engage: partner on research, ethics, or policy development; join cross-disciplinary collaborations to inform pilot outcomes; or help shape measurable impact metrics for future projects. We welcome your ideas and participation as we co-create this work.
Join the CollaborationA Framework for Collaborative Impact
The Michigan Futures Initiative (MFI) is a university-wide framework that connects five thematic areas: Economic Impact & Workforce Development, Law & Policy, Systems Change, Industrial Transformation, and Educational Innovation. Built to evolve through collaboration, pilot projects, and stakeholder input, MFI ensures its direction reflects the collective expertise and priorities of the U-M community.
Learn More About MFI