Abstract
Objective
This presentation explores how higher education institutions can move beyond fragmented or rapid adoption of artificial intelligence toward a deliberate, mission-aligned state of AI readiness. It reframes readiness as a multidimensional construct rooted in people, processes, technology, and culture—rather than a measure of tool acquisition or technical capacity.
Context
The emergence of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has accelerated institutional interest in AI-enabled systems, including predictive analytics, advising chatbots, and AI-assisted grading. Yet many universities remain uncertain about ethical boundaries, governance models, and workforce preparedness. The challenge has shifted: the priority is no longer adopting AI quickly, but implementing it responsibly, sustainably, and in alignment with institutional values.
Key Insights
A comprehensive AI Readiness Framework was introduced, structured around four interconnected pillars:
- People – Developing AI literacy and evolving roles such as AI translators, prompt engineers, and ethical stewards
- Processes – Modernizing workflows to support agility, experimentation, and automation
- Technology – Strengthening integration, governance, and scalability across institutional systems
- Culture – Cultivating trust, transparency, and accountability to sustain ethical AI adoption
A case study from Rowan University demonstrated the framework in practice. The institution’s AI-powered Policy Chatbot—built using Azure AI Search with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)—enables staff to search complex policy documents conversationally and trace responses back to original sources. The tool reduced policy lookup time by more than 75% while maintaining data privacy and compliance, resulting in significantly improved user satisfaction.
Together, these insights illustrate that AI readiness is both a technical and cultural evolution. Institutions that align their human, procedural, technological, and cultural dimensions will not only adopt AI effectively but also shape its responsible future in higher education.
Future Directions
The next phase includes development of a standardized AI readiness assessment tool that institutions can use to benchmark progress across people, processes, technology, and culture. Future collaborations will explore sector-wide maturity metrics for responsible AI adoption, governance alignment, and sustainability.