What Does it Mean for Universities to be AI-Ready?
Recently, Editage hosted the Saudi Research Summit in Riyadh, bringing together institutional leaders, government officials, and researchers to explore how the responsible adoption of AI can enhance research output, sharpen competitive positioning, and expand global academic influence.[1] This event underscores a pivotal shift: AI has transitioned from a peripheral topic in higher education to a central focus.
This shift also prompts another important question: what does it truly mean for a university to be AI-ready?
While AI is being utilized across campuses for administrative, research, and learning purposes, the use of AI tools is just one aspect of the equation. According to the EDUCAUSE 2025 AI Landscape Study, fewer than half of universities have established formal governance policies, despite 57% note AI as a strategic priority.[2] This gap is striking, given the rapid advancement and rise in use of AI tools and technology. Access to AI and being equipped for it are two very different things. True readiness involves a comprehensive framework that includes having a strong infrastructure, human expertise, governance, and a cultural and educational foundation to integrate AI effectively and aligned with an institution’s goals and mission.
Leadership strategy: Among all the pillars of AI readiness, this one is fundamental. As institutions adopt tools, form task forces, and release AI policies, it is crucial to pause and ask: what are we actually trying to achieve, and does our current approach get us there? The 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study reported that although AI is stated as a priority, only 22% of institutions have a comprehensive, institution-wide strategy.[3] Before investing in individual tools or specific solutions, it is essential to gather key stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, and technical teams, to define a shared vision for AI’s role, grounded in the institution’s mission and strategic goals.[4] Without this alignment, even well-resourced AI initiatives may risk becoming experiments that never quite deliver on their promise.
Governance and ethics: Implementing AI without established policies can lead to hesitancy in its use and inconsistent adoption across the institution.[5] Yet, for many universities, policy development has lagged. Part of the issue may be that governance or policies are often developed reactively, for example, in response to an integrity incident or data concern, rather than being integrated into the foundation of AI strategy.[6] This approach risks framing AI as a problem to manage rather than a capability to enhance research and academic excellence. Responsible AI adoption in higher education will require guidelines addressing data security, legal, and privacy concerns to be embedded in initiatives and regularly updated as the landscape evolves.[4,6] When done correctly, governance can support the scaling and sustainability of AI use, rather than constraining it.
AI literacy and skill building: What makes AI literacy and skill building particularly urgent is that AI adoption is moving faster than institutions can keep. Data from a survey by Turnitin and Vanson Bourne suggests that 89% of academic administrators and 80% of educators believe AI readiness is essential for graduates, yet 39% of educators state they don’t know how to get the best out of AI in their own role, and 47% want to use it for better decision making but simply don’t know how.[6] That’s not a technology gap but a capability gap that mere access to AI tools cannot bridge. Research conducted also suggests that only 36% of students felt like they received adequate support from their institution to develop AI skills, even as they overwhelmingly believe those skills are essential for their careers.[6] Closing that gap is one of the most tangible actions institutions can take to turn AI ambition into AI impact.
Partnerships and collaboration: The complexity of AI transformation calls for a collaborative approach, both within and across organizations. Within institutions, that means bringing different key teams together from the outset. Beyond the campus, the case for collaboration is equally strong.[4] Universities working together can share expertise and develop policies and solutions that benefit the broader sector. Additionally, academia-industry partnerships add another dimension entirely, connecting institutions to a wider network of expertise and support, enabling them to keep pace with an AI landscape that is advancing faster than any institution can navigate alone.[7]
While getting started early has its advantages, what matters more is asking the right questions, building the right foundations, and working with trusted partners. AI readiness is an ongoing commitment and for university leaders, the question now is whether your institution is building the conditions for a transformation that works in your favor.
References
1. Editage successfully hosted Saudi Research Summit 2026 to advance AI-powered research excellence aligned with Vision 2030. https://cactusglobal.com/media-center/editage-hosted-saudi-research-summit-2026/
2. Universities must act now to close the AI readiness gap. https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2025/04/25/universities-must-act-now-to-close-the-ai-readiness-gap/
3. AI inhigher ed, where are we now?: Insights from the 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study. https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=ai-posters-2025
4. How higher education can realize the potential of Generative AI. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/articles-on-higher-education/generative-ai-higher-education.html
5. Saudi Research Summit 2026 | AI-powered research excellence. https://www.youtube.com/live/R8g8KccclDs
6. Strategies for building an AI-ready workforce in higher education.https://www.turnitin.com/blog/strategies-for-building-an-ai-ready-workforce-in-higher-education
7. 3 Essentials for building an AI-ready campus.https://er.educause.edu/articles/sponsored/2025/10/3-essentials-for-building-an-ai-ready-campus
