AI, Technology & Digital Transformation

Why this is important.

In today’s technology-driven world, higher education institutions cannot afford to be slow adopters of technology or resist technology-based challenges to the traditional classroom model of pedagogy. Institutions that successfully transitioned to online and hybrid-education environments during the COVID-19 pandemic relied on deeply interconnected technology to carry out their mission and many will continue to do so beyond the pandemic. There is no return to the status quo ante COVID-19. It is up to governing boards to ensure colleges and universities foster a culture that supports investments in technologies and leverages transformative technological opportunities.

Sources: Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards: Key Principles and Practical Guidance for Foundation and Institution Board Members by AGB in partnership with ISA and AIG, AGB 2021
“After COVID-19: Driving Academic Transformation Through Public-Private Partnerships” AGB Blog Post by Michael B. Goldstein, April 29, 2021

Questions for boards.

Click below to reveal key questions for your board to consider:

AI

Have we considered how we might use AI to govern more effectively and be a better board? In what areas would AI be more helpful and in what areas should we put in place governance guardrails to manage AI implementation?
Does the adoption of AI ultimately support our institutional goals and strategy? Are there certain areas where it will be more helpful and others where it potentially would be problematic? How might the adoption and implementation of AI impact the long-term financial stability of the institution?
In what ways might AI enhance student success, teaching excellence, and research quality or productivity at our institution? Are students learning enough about AI and its applications so that they will be able to adapt successfully when the tools or skills change?
As we consider bringing AI into more processes on campus, are there any partnerships that could help with AI implementation, regulation, and management?

Sources: Top Strategic Issues for Boards 2026–2027, AGB 2026
Digital Transformation for Colleges and Universities, AGB 2026
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education, Part 2, Trusteeship, May/June 2024

Digital Transformation

What is the long-term strategic goal of digital transformation, and how do these goals align with our other strategic goals?
What is our process for evaluating our investment in technology as regards our institution’s mission, vision, and values? Do we have a clear understanding of what key performance indicators the board needs to monitor to fulfill our fiduciary responsibilities? Do we understand how technology will benefit our students?
Is the governance structure agile enough to make quick, informed decisions during the transformation process?

Source: Digital Transformation for Colleges and Universities, AGB 2026

Risk Management

What AI-related risks will require governance oversight? What are our institution’s particular AI-related risks in admissions, academic and research integrity, student services, and operations, and what governance policies do we currently have in place to mitigate them?
Do we understand the risks of incorporating digital transformation and AI? What are the risks if we do not proceed with digital transformation or AI implementation?
What cybersecurity incidents or near misses have we experienced in the past year, and how are we dealing with the vulnerabilities they revealed?
Are we considering the cybersecurity aspects of our major business decisions, such as mergers and affiliations, partnerships, new program launches, and so forth, in a timely fashion?

Sources: Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards by AGB in partnership with ISA and AIG, AGB 2021
Digital Transformation for Colleges and Universities, AGB 2026