Key points:
- Successfully adopting AI requires shifts in higher ed’s culture, workforce, and technology
- Addressing data use and AI for student affairs staff
- EDUCAUSE, AWS launch genAI readiness assessment tool for higher ed
- For more on AI in higher ed, visit eCN’s AI in Education hub
With support from Amazon Web Services, EDUCAUSE has launched the Higher Education AI Readiness Assessment to help higher-ed IT leaders gauge their institution’s preparedness for strategic AI initiatives.
The assessment can be used with a cross-functional team at institutions to begin and facilitate discussions, as well as to develop an understanding of each institution’s current state and the potential of AI, according to an EDUCAUSE announcement.
EDUCAUSE recommends taking the assessment as a team, with the following considerations:
- You may download a PDF of the assessment before taking it so that you can review and discuss it before you take it.
- This assessment is separated into five sections: Strategy, Governance, Technology, Workforce, and Teaching and Learning. Each member of the team can choose which sections to take. Be sure to include enough team members so that each section is answered at least once.
- Include individuals from a variety of operational units and job roles: academic units, operational units, business units, faculty, staff, students (as appropriate), frontline workers, mid-level managers, senior leaders, etc.
- Consider including a variety of stakeholders: those who are ready to hit the ground running, colleagues who already have considerable influence and can break down barriers, and colleagues or units who might be resistant to change.
The initial version of this AI assessment was launched in March 2024 as a PDF and has been replaced with this web-based survey. Users can access the initial version of the assessment, but that version has been archived.
“Generative AI will transform how educators engage students inside and outside the classroom, with personalized education and accessible experiences that provide increased student support and drive better learning outcomes,” said Kim Majerus, vice president of global education and US state and local government at AWS, when the initial assessment launched in 2024.
“This assessment is a practical tool to help colleges and universities prepare their institutions to maximize this technology and support students throughout their higher ed journey.”
This post contains information that originally appeared on EDUCAUSE’s site.
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