According to the survey results, more than 80 per cent of respondents didn’t feel policies had been fully implemented, but 70 per cent were either already using AI or plan to within the next 12 months
A new survey by SHI International and Dell Technologies highlights both the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the significant readiness gaps at many research institutions.
The Center for Digital Education conducted the survey among leaders and IT professionals in U.S. higher education. It found that about 50 per cent of research universities have a strategy for using AI, but only 13.2 per cent feel mostly or fully ready to use AI effectively.
AI is being used in various ways in academia. Leading uses include chatbots (36.8 per cent ) and research tools (35.3 per cent ). Other common uses are automating administrative tasks, predictive analytics, and student services (all 29.4 per cent ).
“Top research universities are at the forefront of innovation and have led to life-altering inventions like insulin, Wi-Fi technology, and the pacemaker, so getting AI implementation right for these schools is critical,” said Steve Troxel, Public Sector Field Solutions Engineer at SHI. Despite this, more than 80% of respondents felt that policies were not fully in place. However, 70% were either already using AI or planning to within the next 12 months.
Other key findings include:
-48.6 per cent have basic training for their staff or plan to provide it.
-Institutions need the most help with developing AI funding strategies (47.1 per cent ) and finding available grants (44.1 per cent ).
– The biggest barriers to AI implementation are too many competing priorities (36.8 per cent ), inadequate funding (36.8 per cent ), and a lack of AI strategy or ownership (30.9 per cent ).
– Only 16 per cent say their infrastructure is ready for extensive AI integration for students.
– 29.4 per cent have only somewhat or partially implemented data security and privacy measures into their AI systems.
“The best thing institutions can do is hop on board the speeding AI train and figure out how to use it to best reach their destination or goal,” said Adam Robyak, Field Chief Technology Officer and Principal Engineer at Dell.