Four months into the AI Ready network initiative that launched in the fall, participating campuses have made remarkable strides in leveraging generative AI tools to enhance teaching, learning, and operations. With a focus on practical application and capacity building, the network’s mission is threefold: to foster knowledge sharing and learning, expand AI usage across campus workflows, and support collaborative projects and research.
Through its two core programs, All Campus Essentials and Build Your Own, the network has provided professional development and facilitated hands-on experimentation with generative AI. This update highlights the progress made so far and offers a glimpse into the future of the AI Ready network, including plans for a second membership cycle later this year.
All Campus Essentials
The All Campus Essentials program has seen remarkable success, drawing in a vibrant community of learners with 11,948 registrants, 4,817 attendees, and 3,155 distinct participants across its initial 12 webinars. This program has delivered targeted professional development opportunities that go beyond theoretical discussions, focusing instead on the practical application of AI within specific disciplines and administrative functions.
Build Your Own
The smaller, more intensive Build Your Own program has guided 22 campuses through a comprehensive process of designing and implementing AI-driven projects. This has resulted in innovative solutions, such as tools to analyze when students need tutors in high DFW (drop, fail, withdraw) courses, automated HR search bots to edit policies and perform initial contract evaluations, and advanced content generation systems for targeted admissions and advancement audiences.
The impact of the AI Ready network is evident in its widespread adoption, with 93 campuses participating in All Campus Essentials and 22 in Build Your Own, representing institutions from 34 different states. Originally conceived as a one-year initiative, the overwhelming interest and engagement from member institutions have led to the exciting decision to launch a second membership cycle. The upcoming membership cycle is anticipated to launch late Summer to early Fall 2025. The core emphasis will remain on empowering faculty and staff with practical AI skills. While the specific structure of next year’s programming is still being finalized, the AI Ready network is poised to build upon its offerings in preparing institutions for the future of higher education and generative AI.
Prepare your campus for more AI opportunities. Additional details for enrolling in the second membership cycle will be shared at a later date. Contact Adam Pryor, senior advisor for the AI Ready network (apryor@cic.edu), for questions about programming, or Sabrina Sturgeon, senior project coordinator (ssturgeon@cic.edu), for membership inquiries.
