Rafaella Bruno
IBM CSR Product Marketing Specialist,
IBM
From AI Pilots to Institutional Impact: Scaling Responsible AI Across Higher Education
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 12:00PM–12:40PM ET
Session Type:
Breakout Session
Delivery Format:
Industry Insights
Higher education is at a pivotal stage in AI adoption. As institutions shift from experimentation to integration, success depends on building AI literacy, embedding responsible practices, and establishing governance that supports ethical, effective use at scale. This session explores how institutions are advancing from isolated AI pilots to sustainable, institution-wide strategies across teaching and operations. Leaders will share approaches to aligning AI initiatives with institutional priorities, and delivering measurable outcomes, while addressing challenges such as data stewardship, faculty and staff readiness, and student trust. A key focus is the shift from AI literacy to applied capability. Learners must be able to use AI to solve problems, evaluate outputs, and make informed decisions. Through real-world examples, speakers will highlight how hands-on, applied learning models enable students and faculty to engage with AI in authentic workflows that reflect evolving workplace expectations and build job-ready skills. Through facilitated discussion, attendees will share priorities and challenges, contributing to a collaborative exchange across the higher education community. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to advance AI skilling, align initiatives with institutional goals, and foster cross-functional collaboration through student success, employability, and long-term transformation.
