System Overview

What it is: The University of Canberra developed an AI governance and ethics strategy to align AI usage with research goals and institutional risk policies. The framework ensured responsible adoption and enabled the successful launch of campus wide automation pilots.

Core capabilities

Ethical AI framework tailored to higher education
Governance model aligned with university research and risk management policies
Pilot projects for campus-wide automation (admin, student services, facilities)
Stakeholder engagement with faculty, students, and policymakers
Compliance with global AI ethics standards and data privacy laws
Continuous monitoring and evaluation of AI tools on campus

Business problems solved

Lack of clear policies on AI usage in academia
Risk of non-compliance with ethical and regulatory standards
Need for trust and transparency in AI adoption
Difficulty scaling automation without governance oversight
Balancing innovation with responsible use of AI

Universities worldwide are struggling with the same issues – this case shows that it’s possible to balance innovation with trust.

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Industries served

Higher education, research institutions, government policy, EdTech.

Actor Identification

Primary actor: University administration responsible for AI strategy and oversight.
Secondary actors: Faculty members, researchers, students, AI governance board, IT teams.

Actor Goals

Administration: Ensure safe, ethical, and policy-aligned adoption of AI.
Faculty/Researchers: Leverage AI tools without compromising ethics or compliance.
Students: Benefit from improved campus services while trusting responsible AI use.
AI Governance Board: Monitor risks, enforce standards, and approve pilots.

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Context and Preconditions

AI governance board formed with cross-department stakeholders
Strategy aligned with university’s research and risk policies
Ethical guidelines drafted in line with global standards (e.g., UNESCO, OECD)
Pilot projects identified for automation in student services and administration
Compliance policies for data protection and academic integrity in place

Basic Flow (Successful Scenario)

Governance board drafts AI use and ethics framework.
Policy is reviewed and approved by university leadership.
Pilot projects launched for campus automation (e.g., admissions processing, library services).
Monitoring tools track pilot outcomes, ensuring compliance with governance framework.
Feedback collected from students and faculty for refinement.
Strategy expanded to support additional automation use cases across campus.

Outcome: University of Canberra launched campus-wide automation pilots successfully, backed by an ethical AI framework that aligned with research and risk policies.

Alternate Flows

A1: Ethical conflict detected: If a pilot tool violates ethical guidelines, project is paused until reviewed.
A2: Stakeholder pushback: If faculty or students raise concerns, governance board hosts consultation sessions.
A3: Policy compliance gap: If AI tool fails compliance checks, it is adjusted or replaced before scaling.
A4: Pilot underperformance: If automation pilot fails to meet KPIs, results are documented and lessons applied to future initiatives.

Prepare for these scenarios - If you want to scale AI like the University of Canberra while staying compliant, schedule a strategy session with us today.

University of Canberra - AI Governance and Ethics Strategy for Campus Automation