R1 research universities are adapting their IT infrastructure as AI-driven experiments create unpredictable spikes in compute and network demand, according to a report focused on campus and central IT changes. The piece describes how on-premises research clusters and hybrid infrastructure are becoming key to stabilizing bandwidth and service levels. The article positions R1 infrastructure as a “ground zero” environment where AI-imposed turmoil is already showing up: lab workloads can change quickly, and campus systems must respond without disrupting research operations or student and staff services. While details vary by institution, the report emphasizes operational practices IT leaders use to manage volatility, including hybrid provisioning, capacity planning, and service orchestration. It also links these infrastructure decisions to research continuity and the ability to support students and staff during shifts in demand. For higher ed operators, the message is that AI isn’t only a research output—it’s also an operational load that reshapes budgets, architecture choices, and staffing priorities across campuses.