Governing AI from Strength, a new action guide, shows how colleges and universities can build effective governance from the people, policies and structures they already have
TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- D2L, a global leader in learning innovation, has collaborated with the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) and Opened Culture to share findings from a global longitudinal study of AI governance in higher education. The findings are published in Governing AI from Strength: An Action Guide on AI Governance Strategy and AI Literacies Development for Academic Leaders, a practical resource for decision makers at every level of the institution.
Drawing on a survey and in-depth interviews with academic leaders on six continents, the study suggests that many institutions already hold much of what effective AI governance requires. Those making progress began with their mission and values, extended existing policies and committees, named an owner for the work, and set dates to revisit each decision. The research also suggests that governance can help build AI literacies, the skills and mindsets needed to use AI well, among the people responsible for it.
"AI governance is not about trying to predict every possible use of the technology--it is about creating the conditions for thoughtful, values-aligned decision-making," said Dr. Cristi Ford, Chief Learning Officer at D2L. "When institutions begin with their mission, involve the people closest to learning and build on the policies and structures they already have, they can move from uncertainty to purposeful action. This gives educators and learners the clarity, confidence and support they need to use AI in ways that strengthen learning and preserve the human relationships at its center."
Governing AI from Strength offers:
- Eight findings on how colleges and universities govern AI, each paired with practical next steps.
- Role-based actions for administrators, faculty, technology staff and others across campus.
- A Leadership Roadmap that sequences first steps by month, semester and year.
- Five worksheets and toolkits, including a charter template for a standing governance group, a maturity snapshot, a planning worksheet, an inventory of existing policies and structures, and a decision record for shared AI tools.
- Examples from participating institutions showing how governance decisions took shape in practice.
"When it comes to AI, many of our members feel pressure to build something entirely new, and fast," said Van. L. Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director of WCET. "What this research makes clear is that institutions don't have to start from scratch. The governance structures, policies, and shared commitments they already have are real assets. Governing AI from Strength helps every campus see what it already has and take the next practical step."
The study was conducted by a cross-sector team of ten authors drawn from D2L, WCET, and Opened Culture and from the University of Texas at San Antonio, the State University of New York, and Temple University. Uniting institutions, industry, and a member-driven organization in a single study remains uncommon in higher education, as does the accelerated cycle from inquiry to practice that the partners adopted. Initial findings were presented at the EDEN 2026 Annual Conference in June, and the action guide follows within months, so that evidence reaches campuses while decisions about AI are still taking shape.
"In our work with WCET and D2L over the past few years, governance was the domain leaders asked about most and needed most, yet it was also the one with the fewest mature practices shared with the field," said Dr. Angela Gunder, CEO and Founder of Opened Culture. "This study set out to bring those practices into the open, and in a short time we are already seeing institutions use this body of research to drive deep change at scale."
Governing AI from Strength is available now. As the study continues in subsequent rounds, colleges and universities are invited to share their own governance practices through the AI Literacies Case Example Database, adding to an open body of evidence the field can build on.
About D2L
D2L is transforming the way the world learns, helping learners achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with customers all over the world, D2L is on a mission to make learning more inspiring, engaging and human. Find out how D2L helps transform lives and delivers outstanding learning outcomes in K-12, higher education and businesses.
About WCET
WCET, the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies, is the leader in the practice, policy, & advocacy of digital learning in higher education. WCET is a member-driven organization which brings together colleges, universities, higher education organizations, and companies to collectively improve the quality and reach of digital learning programs. Learn more at wcet.wiche.edu.
About Opened Culture
Opened Culture is a pioneering collaboratory that helps educators, institutions, and organizations across the globe strengthen academic innovation initiatives and open culture through strategic consulting, professional learning, and community-engaged facilitation. We partner with practitioners, leaders, and cross-functional teams to design human-centered, values-aligned approaches to AI literacies, digital transformation, and sustainable change. Learn more at openedculture.org.
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