President’s Task Force: Advancing the AI-Enabled University

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how universities teach, conduct research, and deliver services. The University of Alberta is uniquely positioned to lead in this space, building on its internationally recognized strengths in artificial intelligence research, innovation and interdisciplinary scholarship.

To help guide this work, the University of Alberta has established the President’s Task Force: Advancing the AI-Enabled University.

Working in collaboration with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) and drawing on expertise from across the university community, the task force will help coordinate a university-wide approach to the responsible and ethical integration of AI across teaching, learning, research and institutional operations.

The initiative aligns with the university’s strategic plan, SHAPE, and reflects a commitment to preparing students for an AI-enabled world while strengthening the university’s academic mission and global impact.

Vision

The University of Alberta will become a global leader in the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in higher education — integrating AI across teaching, research and institutional operations to strengthen learning, discovery and institutional excellence.

President’s Task Force Guiding Principles

Responsible integration

AI will be adopted carefully and transparently with close attention to academic integrity, research ethics, responsible use, privacy, data sovereignty, intellectual property, and the broader societal implications of AI.

Faculty and instructor partnership

Academic staff will determine how AI is used within their disciplines, classrooms, and learning environments. Decisions relating to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and academic standards will continue to be governed through established academic processes.

Human-centred approach

The purpose of AI adoption is to support people and advance the university’s mission. AI will be used to augment human capability and judgment, not replace them.

Strengthening the academic mission

AI will enhance, not replace, the intellectual work of teaching, learning, and scholarship, reinforcing critical thinking, creativity, and independent judgment.

What the AI-Enabled University initiative will do

Over the next two years, the initiative will:

  1. Build AI fluency among students, faculty, and staff
  2. Support instructors in adapting teaching and assessment practices
  3. Explore opportunities to enhance research development processes and support research productivity
  4. Identify opportunities to improve the quality, consistency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of services
  5. Strengthen collaboration across the university and with Amii and external partners
  6. Identify areas where additional safeguards, guidance, or policy development may be required

Leadership and Governance

The President’s Task Force provides strategic direction and oversight for the initiative and supports coordination across academic and administrative portfolios.

Coordination and Implementation

Mark Humphries, Associate Vice-President (Information Services and Technology) and Chief Information Officer, serves as the President’s designate for coordination and implementation across the university.

Task force membership

Core Membership

  • Mark Humphries — Associate Vice-President (Information Services and Technology) and Chief Information Officer
  • Todd Gilchrist — Vice-President (University Services, Operations and Finance)
  • David Bressler — Vice-President (International, Innovation and Enterprise)
  • Karsten Mundel — Vice-Provost (Learning Initiatives)
  • Ian Winship — Associate Vice-President (Research Development and Services)
  • Chris Brunelle — Associate Vice-President and Chief Transformation Officer
  • Jessica Butts Scott — Associate Vice-President (Online and Continuing Education)
  • Cam Linke — Chief Executive Officer, Amii
  • Additional faculty, staff and institutional leaders may participate as the initiative evolves.
  • Mark Humphries — Associate Vice-President (Information Services and Technology) and Chief Information Officer
  • Todd Gilchrist — Vice-President (University Services, Operations and Finance)
  • David Bressler — Vice-President (International, Innovation and Enterprise)
  • Karsten Mundel — Vice-Provost (Learning Initiatives)
  • Ian Winship — Associate Vice-President (Research Development and Services)
  • Chris Brunelle — Associate Vice-President and Chief Transformation Officer
  • Jessica Butts Scott — Associate Vice-President (Online and Continuing Education)
  • Cam Linke — Chief Executive Officer, Amii
  • Additional faculty, staff and institutional leaders may participate as the initiative evolves.

Additional Membership

  • Verna Yiu — Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
  • Aminah Robinson Fayek — Vice-President (Research)
  • Elan MacDonald — Vice-President (External Relations)
  • Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell — Vice-Provost and College Dean, Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Ali Shiri — Vice-Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
  • Ehsan Misaghi — PhD Student, Department of Medical Genetics/Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
  • Isaac Van Dyne — Chief of Staff, Office of the President
  • Kathleen Brough — Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost and VP (Academic)
  • Spencer Murray — Chief of Staff, Office of the VP (External Relations)
  • Additional faculty, staff and institutional leaders may participate as the initiative evolves.
  • Verna Yiu — Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
  • Aminah Robinson Fayek — Vice-President (Research)
  • Elan MacDonald — Vice-President (External Relations)
  • Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell — Vice-Provost and College Dean, Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Ali Shiri — Vice-Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
  • Ehsan Misaghi — PhD Student, Department of Medical Genetics/Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
  • Isaac Van Dyne — Chief of Staff, Office of the President
  • Kathleen Brough — Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost and VP (Academic)
  • Spencer Murray — Chief of Staff, Office of the VP (External Relations)
  • Additional faculty, staff and institutional leaders may participate as the initiative evolves.

Looking Ahead

The AI-Enabled University initiative will help prepare graduates for a rapidly changing world while positioning the University of Alberta and Alberta more broadly as leaders in the responsible advancement and application of artificial intelligence.

Shaping the AI University: Leadership, Policy and the Future of Higher Education

This thought-provoking discussion brings together leading voices from the University of Alberta to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education. From teaching and research to the university’s broader role in society, the conversation will examine what should evolve — and what must remain — as AI embeds itself in academic life.

This thought-provoking discussion brings together leading voices from the University of Alberta to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education. From teaching and research to the university’s broader role in society, the conversation will examine what should evolve — and what must remain — as AI embeds itself in academic life.

Learn More and Join Us

Shaping the AI University: Leadership, Policy and the Future of Higher Education

This thought-provoking discussion brings together leading voices from the University of Alberta to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education. From teaching and research to the university’s broader role in society, the conversation will examine what should evolve — and what must remain — as AI embeds itself in academic life.

Learn More and Join Us