How to Design a Cohesive and Practical Institution-Wide AI Strategy

Most institutions are testing AI solutions, but few have a roadmap that connects experimentation to institutional strategy and impact. This session outlines a pragmatic framework for developing a cohesive, institution-wide AI strategy, starting with shared vision and guiding principles, mapping opportunities and readiness, and translating them into a realistic roadmap for action.

Afia Tasneem will share how universities are designing their institution-wide AI strategy and roadmap that balances agility with accountability. Participants will leave with practical tips for assessing institutional readiness, identifying high-impact use cases, and developing a campus culture that promotes sustainable, equitable AI adoption.

Afia Tasneem is a nationally recognized AI strategist and higher education transformation leader. As Senior Director and AI Strategy Lead in Huron’s Education Consulting practice, she helps higher education leaders advance AI initiatives from isolated experiments into institution-wide capabilities, aligning innovation with mission, operational priorities, and responsible use.

Prior to Huron, Afia led IT and AI Strategy Advisory Services at EAB where she conceived and launched an AI Strategy Product Suite, equipping leaders at 300+ institutions with AI strategy, governance, enablement, and application practices needed to scale AI from early pilots to institution-wide adoption.

A sought-after speaker, she has delivered AI plenary sessions to audiences of 200+ university presidents and led immersive workshops with 100+ CIOs, sparking collaboration and shared learning across national and international peer networks.