Partner Stories

Florida International University Shapes AI Strategy with EAB Partnership

Background

Florida International University (FIU) was beginning to confront the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its implications for teaching, research, and administration. The institution’s Chief Information Officer was tasked with leading efforts to design an AI strategy that was forward-looking yet grounded in governance. Leadership wanted to avoid “AI for AI’s sake” and instead focus on investments that advanced core institutional priorities such as student success, graduation rates, and research competitiveness.

Outcome

Through EAB’s multi-step engagement, FIU advanced from exploration to execution in shaping its AI strategy. Insights from national forums and peer institutions were translated into concrete governance and policy tactics, including a new AI governance group and course-level policy integration. These steps positioned FIU as a leader in responsible AI adoption, anchoring its work to institutional goals and enhancing its ability to improve student outcomes, strengthen research, and manage risk.

Steps to FIU’s Success

Early Exposure Through CIO Roundtable

The Chief Information Officer participated in EAB’s CIO Roundtable in March 2025, gaining early visibility into how peer institutions were structuring AI strategy and governance. This helped frame the conversation at FIU around national trends rather than isolated experimentation.
Webinar Expanded Peer and Policy Insights

In June, the CIO and CISO joined EAB’s State of AI in Higher Education webinar, which provided benchmarking data and showcased peer approaches to AI governance. This reinforced the importance of aligning AI adoption to institutional priorities such as student success, research competitiveness, and compliance.
SME Consultation Translated Best Practices Into Action

In July, FIU held a subject matter expert consultation with EAB, where leaders examined AI and NIST frameworks, discussed governance models, and reviewed policy examples. This session gave FIU tangible next steps to adapt peer practices to their own environment.
Governance Structures and Policies Implemented

FIU subsequently established a cross-functional AI governance committee, co-chaired by information security leadership, to align AI work with existing governance processes. As a result of their conversations with EAB, the university also embedded AI usage statements into course-level design within the LMS, ensuring faculty clearly communicate expectations for students.