As universities across the country grapple with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, University of the Pacific is charting its own course with a university-wide framework for the responsible use of AI in teaching, research and operations.

Based on recommendations from a collaborative group of students, faculty and staff, Pacific is exploring a university-wide governance structure, centralized AI resources and institutional guardrails that balance innovation with privacy, security and ethical responsibility.

The framework is built on the principle that AI should enhance—not replace—human judgment in teaching, research, administration and student success.

Pacific’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force spent six months developing the recommendations to align AI use with Pacific's student-centered mission. At the same time, the framework gives schools, colleges and administrative units the flexibility to develop policies and procedures tailored to their needs.

Led by Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert and guided by Mehdi Khazaeli, assistant provost for research, innovation and sponsored programs, the task force evaluated the university’s needs and explored emerging best practices to support Pacific’s long-term approach to artificial intelligence.

“AI is a technology that many at the university use in some aspect of their work, and its use will only increase,” Edwalds-Gilbert said. “The task force's thoughtful discussions led to specific recommendations that will position Pacific as a leader in AI adoption in higher education.

“A first step is to develop a nimble governance structure for AI adoption and implementation across the university in partnership with Academic Council and Staff Advisory Council. In parallel, we will continue to enhance AI training opportunities,” she said.

The task force recommends role-specific AI literacy and training programs for students, faculty and staff, with students receiving instruction on responsible AI use, digital literacy, career preparation and ethical decision-making.

Faculty development programs were recommended to help instructors integrate generative AI into teaching while addressing its academic and ethical implications, while staff training would focus on using AI to improve operational efficiency, strengthen student services and reduce administrative workload.

“This framework is the result of a university-wide effort, bringing together students, faculty, staff, administrators and leaders,” Khazaeli said. “We learned from emerging practices across higher education while remaining grounded in Pacific's mission and values, ensuring that AI is adopted in a thoughtful, human-centered way that prepares our students for the future while preserving the personalized educational experience that defines Pacific.”

The task force included representatives from all nine of Pacific’s schools and colleges and nearly every university department, including Academic Affairs, the Academic Council Executive Board, Advancement, Athletics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Enrollment Strategy, Finance and Operations, First-Year Experience, General Counsel, University Libraries, Pacific Technology, Strategic Communications and Student Life.

Pacific student research assistants Humraj Khangura ’27, Brandon Hann ’27, Priscilla Chung '27, Suksham Fulzele ’27, Peter Truong ’26 and Loc Nguyen ’26 supported the project by conducting research and providing student perspectives throughout the process.

The task force is now beginning to put the framework into action by developing an interim model for university-wide governance and advancing campus-wide AI literacy efforts.

An AI Showcase & Symposium is also being planned for November to help faculty and staff explore responsible and innovative uses of AI.