Michael D. Murray: 2025-26 University Research Professor Q&A

UKNow is highlighting the University of Kentucky’s 2025-26 University Research Professors. Established by the Board of Trustees in 1976, the professorship program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research at UK and is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research.  

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 15, 2025) — Michael D. Murray, Spears Gilbert Professor of Law at the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, has been honored as a 2025-26 University Research Professor.

Murray is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in four disciplines: artificial intelligence and the law; art law; intellectual property law; and legal rhetoric and communication. He is the principal investigator of the “Artificial Intelligence and the Law” and “Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Non-fungible token (NFT) and the Metaverse Law” projects at UK.

Murray has authored or coauthored 27 books and 37 law review articles, and he teaches law and graduate and undergraduate honors courses.

Murray joined UK in 2016. He spoke with UKNow about his latest honor as a University Research Professor in this Q&A.

UKNow: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a University Research Professor?

Murray: I am honored to be only the eighth professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law (now J. David Rosenberg College of Law) to receive the designation of University Research Professor since the program started in 1976. It is a great honor to be recognized by one’s peers and colleagues in this way. My research spans a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, intellectual property, art law, cryptocurrency, visual rhetoric and advocacy. I am grateful that my colleagues were willing to take in the full scope of my work in nominating me for this honor.

UKNow: How will the professorships program advance your research?

Murray: This will assist my research in some very direct ways. The higher tiers of the leading generative artificial intelligence programs I work with charge a monthly subscription fee, and now I will have the ability to pay those subscription fees for several more services. It should also help me to run larger scale studies than I have been able to run so far. Intangibly, the program has allowed me to make contacts across the campus that have broadened my perspectives in my own research and in the other cross-disciplinary projects I have signed on with.

UKNow: What inspired your focus on this area of research?

Murray: My current focus on artificial intelligence was kicked into high gear with the ChatGPT moment in November 2022. At that point I realized this was not simply a new computer application or some small incremental change, but a fundamental change in how educators, students and knowledge workers would be doing work at all levels of their workflows. In 2022, the cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) market had taken a slide and slowed down almost to a halt after the FTX exchange collapse and the conviction of its founder and CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, so it was possible to devote my full attention to studying generative artificial intelligence. Generative AI skyrocketed into importance in late 2022 and 2023 and continues to be the gift that keeps on giving, at least in terms of research questions.

UKNow: How does your research impact Kentucky?

Murray: I don't believe there is any hyperbole in the statement that artificial intelligence with agentic AI, which will soon reach the level of artificial general intelligence and quite possibly artificial superintelligence, is the most transformative change in technology since the development of personal computers, the build out of the internet and the dawn of computer-assisted research. It will affect everyone in Kentucky from childhood to adulthood. I believe my efforts to test the models and explain and communicate how to use and how to supervise this technology will be keenly important to everyone in the Commonwealth. 

About the University Research Professors
Each year, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approves a cohort of faculty as University Research Professors. The distinction recognizes excellence in work that addresses scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges in Kentucky and the world.

College leadership developed criteria for excellence within their area of expertise and then nominated faculty who excelled at these criteria. Each University Research Professor receives a one-year award of $10,000.