AI and Human Innovation Initiative
A university-wide initiative to address AI with a humanities and fine arts approach.
UND's AI and Human Innovation Initiative brings an arts and humanities perspective to inquiry regarding AI's potential promise and peril, and its broader implications for society and culture. To nurture ethical and equitable AI use and development, the initiative advocates challenging and exploring AI's application through insights grounded in the arts and humanities.
It explores interdisciplinary AI application, creative pursuit, critical inquiry, and pedagogy; its ethos rests on the knowledge that AI impacts all human endeavors and that humanistic perspectives must inform the advance of this technology.
AI and Human Innovation Showcase
The University of North Dakota’s AI and Human Innovation Initiative is excited to announce its second annual AI and Human Innovation Showcase to be held at UND on March 20, 2026. Proposals are sought for projects which feature new and developing models for how AI can be used to partner with human thought and endeavors in classroom activities, research, creative activities and community projects.
The first 200 registrants will receive a free lunch.
Schedule of Events
| Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15 a.m. | Henry Ballroom, 220 Memorial Union | Doors Open |
| 9:30 a.m. | Henry Ballroom, 220 Memorial Union | Keynote: Justin Montinge |
| 10:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Henry Ballroom, 220 Memorial Union | Panel Discussion |
| 11:30 a.m. | Ballroom A, Memorial Union | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. | Ballroom C, Memorial Union | Digital Exhibit |
| 2:00 p.m. | Ballroom B, Memorial Union | Karynote: Shawn Riley |
| 2:30 p.m. | Ballroom B, Memorial Union | Lightening Round |
| 3:15 p.m. | Ballroom B, Memorial Union | Hors d'oeuvres and Discussion |
Keynote Speakers
Justin Montigne
Justin Montigne Bio
Justin Montigne is a singer, researcher, and educator whose work explores the intersection of voice, technology, and human expression. He holds degrees from Drake University (B.M.) and the University of Minnesota (M.M., D.M.A.) and has built a career that bridges high-level performance, pedagogy, and technological innovation.
At the University of North Dakota, where he serves as Assistant Professor of Voice, Dr. Montigne is Director of the Virtual Voice Performance Project (VVPP), an interdisciplinary research initiative that investigates how emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, virtual collaboration platforms, and vocal synthesis tools—can expand artistic practice and vocal pedagogy. Under his leadership, VVPP cohorts have explored AI-assisted composition, synthesized singing voices, real-time virtual ensemble performance, and the ethical and creative implications of machine learning in music-making.
He is also developing AI-powered vocal training tools designed to increase access to high-quality voice instruction, including an AI Voice Training App serving North Dakota learners. His recent presentations at national conferences, including the College Music Society Summit, examine how singers can work with AI as a creative partner rather than a replacement—positioning the human voice within the broader technological transformations reshaping education, research, and creative industries.
Prior to his appointment at UND, Dr. Montigne served as Director of Voice Studies for the Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus, overseeing the vocal development of 350 singers and preparing soloists for collaborations with major opera companies. He has taught at UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and Sonoma State University.
An active performer specializing in early music, art song, and contemporary repertoire, he has toured and recorded with the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Chanticleer and appeared in major concert venues including Carnegie Hall and the Musikverein in Vienna. Across performance, research, and pedagogy, his work situates vocal artistry within the same arc of technological progress shaping other disciplines—engaging innovation directly while maintaining the primacy of human creativity and embodied expression.
Shawn Riley
Shawn Riley Bio
A lifelong technologist, entrepreneur, and servant leader, Shawn Riley started his first company at age 16. Over his career, he has led major transformation and innovation initiatives across industries from healthcare and technology to government and venture building. Shawn has held executive roles including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Information Management Officer.
In 2017, he was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum as North Dakota’s Chief Information Officer and Cabinet Member, where he redefined what “government technology” could be and led nationally recognized innovation efforts.
Today, Shawn serves as the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Bisblox, a global Venture Studio building companies designed to be bold, disrupt boring, and strengthen growth. Through Bisblox, he continues to champion a simple guiding question: “How might we help others succeed?”
With over a thousand stages under his belt, Shawn is a widely known keynote speaker and mentor, passionate about helping leaders and founders navigate technology, transformation, and the human side of innovation.
Media
In 2025, UND hosted its first AI and Human Innovation Showcase, spotlighting how artificial intelligence is being used creatively and critically across campus. With a keynote, panel, and over 25 student and faculty presentations, the event celebrated interdisciplinary work that connects AI with the arts, humanities, research, and human experience. It was a vibrant platform for discovery, dialogue, and collaboration around the promise and challenges of AI. Media coverage from the event can be found below.
- UND Today: AI and Human Innovation Showcase
- WDAY Radio: AI and Human Innovation Showcase
UND AI and Human Innovation Team
- Emily Cherry Oliver, Co-Director
- Anna Kinney, Co-Director