D2L, WCET and Opened Culture Release Findings from Global Longitudinal Study on AI Governance in Higher Education
D2L, WCET and Opened Culture Release Findings from Global Longitudinal Study on AI Governance in Higher Education |
| [21-October-2026] |
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:
"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 About WCET About Opened Culture X: @D2L The D2L family of companies includes D2L Inc., D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, D2L India Pvt Ltd, D2L Brasil Soluções de Tecnologia para Educação Ltda and D2L Sistemas de Aprendizaje Innovadores, S. D2 R.L de C.V., and H5P Group AS. All D2L and H5P marks are owned by the D2L group of companies. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE D2L Corporation | ||
Company Codes: Toronto:DTOL |
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