1st Edition
Building an AI-Ready University A Holistic Strategy for Higher Education Leaders
About the Author Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Understanding the Imperative of AI in Higher Education Chapter 2: Establishing Your Baseline Through Interviews and Focus Groups Chapter 3: Crafting a Strategic AI Plan with Design Thinking Chapter 4: Unifying Infrastructure, Data Governance, and Ethical Oversight Chapter 5: Integrating AI into Faculty Development and Learning Design Chapter 6: Driving Research and Innovation with AI Chapter 7: Sustaining Stakeholder Engagement and Future-Readiness Chapter 8: Final Thoughts
Biography
Ruopeng An advances the responsible use of artificial intelligence to reduce health disparities and social inequities. He holds the Constance and Martin Silver Endowed Professorship in Data Science and Prevention at New York University and directs the Constance and Martin Silver Center on Data Science and Social Equity. His research has been supported by federal agencies and public/private partners, including OpenAI and Amgen.
“An invaluable field manual and playbook for colleges and universities coming to terms with the imperative of artificial intelligence. It pairs insight and perspective with checklists, guardrails, and decision templates that hold up under real-world constraints. Use it to move from isolated pilots to enterprise capability across teaching, research, operations, and governance. Rigorous, ethical, and relentlessly practical—required reading for anyone charged with making AI work on campus.”
Michael M. Crow, President, Arizona State University
“AI adoption in higher education is ultimately about people—trust, capability, and shared purpose. Building an AI-Ready University provides leaders with a humane and practical path: equip faculty and staff, communicate honestly, design small wins, and scale what works. With concrete tools and case studies, it balances urgency with care, and rigor with compassion, so progress strengthens community rather than frays it. This book is a steadying and actionable guide for leaders in a demanding moment.”
Beverly Wendland, Former Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Washington University in St. Louis
“This book gives higher education leaders a shared language and practical strategies to take charge of our technology future. It shows us where AI creates value, when it creates risk, and how to manage both through shared governance, data stewardship, and capacity-building. Pragmatic, equity-minded, and actionable, it helps institutions move fast without breaking faith with their mission.”
Dr. Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost at NYU, Author of Black Software
