EDUCAUSE launches generative AI readiness assessment tool for higher education with AWS

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most disruptive technologies in history, offering higher education institutions the opportunity to re-imagine a world where learning is highly personalized, seamless, and available to everyone. With this in mind, there’s one question that is a point of conversation across campuses: how can we leverage this technology and realize its potential while preparing our institutions, faculty, staff, and students for responsible use?

In response, Amazon Web Services (AWS) helped EDUCAUSE develop a Higher Education Generative AI Readiness Assessment grounded in responsible use. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit membership association committed to advancing the strategic use of technology and data to further the promise of higher education. Its new assessment with AWS offers a curated list of questions designed to provide visibility into factors related to the institution’s readiness for identification and adoption of generative AI solutions across three core focus areas: strategy and governance, capacity and expertise, and infrastructure. This assessment can point to areas of focus as institutions rapidly build skills, policies, and best practices that will support students, tutoring assistants, multi-lingual campus navigators, and new staff with generative AI-powered tools such as onboarding assistants, intelligent document processing (IDP), and more.

“This assessment will help institutions identify areas of strength and opportunities to shore up these areas, whether they start with boundary-pushing innovation and experimentation or invest in infrastructure like governance and AI fluency,” said Kathe Pelletier, director of teaching and learning for EDUCAUSE.

Leaders across higher education can use this tool to develop a shared understanding of the strategic and tactical considerations necessary to ensure that generative AI is implemented safely and securely at their institutions.

“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. “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.”

While higher education leaders grapple with the complexities of generative AI integration into their work, many are excited about what it has to offer.

“Successfully adopting AI across an institution requires shifts in our culture, workforce and technology, and having specific examples of what they are and where we’re at with each will help inform the conversations and planning needed,” said David Weil, vice president of IT and analytics for Ithaca College.

The Higher Education Generative AI Readiness Assessment, developed by higher education leaders for higher education leaders, demonstrates a commitment by EDUCAUSE and AWS to support university and college leaders as they prepare for the evaluation, adoption, and implementation of this transformative technology. With the speed of this evolving technology, EDUCAUSE plans to iterate and expand upon the assessment to reflect emerging considerations.

For support preparing your college or university for the use of generative AI, download the Higher Education Generative AI Readiness Assessment.