Media and Information at Michigan State University

Researchers at the Quello Center, Michigan State University developed a new resource to help Michigan's municipal leaders proactively think about data center development in their communities: the “How Likely is a Data Center Developer Interested in My Community?” self-assessment. It can be found at https://tinyurl.com/datacenterassessment

This simple, five-question self-assessment is designed for Michigan local governments to consider whether or not their communities are likely of interest to prospective data center development. The self-assessment is meant to be a sort of “temperature check” that local officials can use to gauge how urgently they need to address data center development in their work, especially as it pertains to planning. More information about the Quello's work in this space can be seen at: https://quello.msu.edu/emerging-digital-infrastructures

This resource was created in response to the work of the Michigan Data Center Planning & Development Working Group, convened by the Quello Center. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Jean Hardy ([email protected]). This assessment is designed for communities in Michigan. If you want to remix or build on it for your own state, feel free to do so with attribution.

quello.msu.edu

Dr. Jean Hardy, who studies rural computing and technology development, was quoted in a recent Detroit News story about the effect data centers have on rural areas. Dr. Hardy discussed the pros and cons a data center that size can have on the surrounding areas.

OpenAI's Sam Altman says Michigan data center a 'huge bet' on AI Tech billionaire Sam Altman visited the site of a multi-billion-dollar data center his OpenAI is constructing with Oracle near Ann Arbor.

Please join us in welcoming our newest game development faculty member, Peter Guenther! His background includes programming, user experience, Unity, tabletop games, and alternative/accessible controllers for gaming devices.

MI researchers: More people turning to AI instead of human counselors May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and more people are turning to artificial-intelligence chatbots for emotional support. Michigan researchers question whether...

Two MSU teams took the top two places at the Michigan Game Development Entrepreneur Race 2026 held in Ann Arbor. The competition pits Michigan game development teams against each other to show their best in-progress games.

First place went to the MSU alumni Wumbo Team and their game, "Boomer". Second place went to the Dimlits Team who recently finished the game as their MI 455 project.

Congrats to both teams for a great showing, representing MSU, winning some cash, and most of all making some great games! 🎉 Go Green!

Celeste Campos-Castillo and Susan Bonner are working to improve how mental health is assessed among autistic adolescents by redesigning screening tools to be more accessible, precise and inclusive.
Read on:

Researchers in the Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University are improving how mental health screening is done for autistic adolescents.

The tool was co-designed with autistic youth to ensure it reflects how they communicate and understand information. It uses simple language, visual and audio supports, and a step-by-step format to reduce confusion and support more complete responses.

This approach helps make screenings more accessible and improves the ability to identify anxiety and depression, so more young people can be connected to care.

Explore the impact: http://spr.ly/6183BBZIJb

Congratulations to Professor Brian Winn, who won the 2026 IndieCade Horizons Excellence Award for Teaching!

From IndieCade: "Brian Winn has been a pioneer in game education since the earliest days of the field. In 2000, he taught the first game development course at Michigan State University, and in 2005, he founded one of the nation’s first interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in game design and development, growing it into a top-ranked program recognized by Princeton Review. He also played a key role in establishing MSU’s serious games master’s program, helping shape a generation of designers working at the intersection of games, learning, and impact."

Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/excellence-award-for-teaching-brian-share-7456124734708289536-8i2A

The Serious Games conversation at the MSU Museum was a success! Students shared their education- and information-based games. The event was coordinated by our own Susan Bonner.
Photos courtesy of the MSU Museum.

The GameDev Showcase is today! Join us at 4:30 in Studio D for the game trailers, then play the games in room 154.

This Thursday, be sure to join us for the MSU GameDev Spring Showcase! 4:30-6:30pm in Studio D, then in room 154 ComArtSci. Learn about and play games the students made during the semester!