From Principles to Practice: Implementing Secure, Private, and Ethical AI in Higher Education

Higher education institutions are rapidly adopting AI across teaching, research, and administration—often outpacing the governance, security, and privacy capabilities needed to support that growth responsibly. At Arizona State University, this challenge has shifted from a theoretical concern to an evolving operational reality as AI tools continue to scale across academic, research, and enterprise environments. This session draws on ASU’s lived experience implementing AI while its governance and operational models continue to mature. Participants will learn how ASU has begun translating institutional principles into day-to-day practice through the development of an Actionable AI Framework shaped by real deployment challenges and iterative refinement. Examples include early deployments of institutional AI platforms such as CreateAI, AI-focused cybersecurity tabletop exercises, integration of AI considerations into vendor risk and procurement processes, and the introduction of continuous evaluation and monitoring that continues to evolve alongside adoption. Organized around five practical pillars, the presentation highlights lessons learned, assumptions tested, and areas where controls and processes remain in development. Attendees will gain insight into how ASU is embedding AI ethics, security, and privacy into operational workflows while balancing the realities of innovation at scale, and will leave with adaptable takeaways to support their own institutions’ AI maturity.