AI Initiative

Turning Potential Into Power Through AI Innovation

The University of the District of Columbia is launching UDC: Turning Potential into Power through AI Innovation, a university-wide initiative designed to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into teaching, learning, research, operations and service delivery. Through ethical innovation, thoughtful governance and community engagement, UDC will use AI as a strategic tool to expand opportunity, improve institutional effectiveness and strengthen outcomes for students, employees and the communities we serve.

Vision

The University of the District of Columbia will responsibly harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance teaching, learning, and research, to advance institutional and operational effectiveness, and to continuously deepen our impact on the District and beyond.

Mission

To establish the responsible AI values, governance, and institutional alignment to UDC's strategic priorities that catalyze AI-enabled teaching, learning, research, and operational excellence, in service to our university and the District community.

Goals

Adopt: Establish clear governance and guidance for responsible AI use.
Advance: Build AI literacy and capacity across UDC and the District.
Align: Coordinate AI efforts across academic, research, and operational areas.
Apply: Use and evaluate AI to strengthen teaching, learning, research, and operations.
Amplify: Expand innovative AI work that advances UDC and community priorities.
Assure: Maintain meaningful human oversight and clear pathways for review.

Guiding Principles

Human-Led

AI assists, humans decide. Consequential decisions carry meaningful human oversight, and no one is subject to an automated decision without a route to a person.

Evidence-Driven

Practice grounded in evidence and scholarship that contributes new knowledge rather than only consuming what others produce.

Fair and Transparent

Systems are tested for bias before they influence decisions that matter, with explicit attention to racial bias given UDC's mission as an HBCU. Decisions are explainable, and ownership is clear.

Shared and Collaborative

Faculty, staff, students and leadership shape AI strategy and policy through an inclusive process with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Shared governance is the structure; collaboration is the practice that makes it work.

Community-Centered

Transdisciplinary work with DC community partners that addresses real problems, expands opportunity, and prepares students for evolving workforce demands.

Phased and Sustainable

Implementation proceeds in measured, risk-prioritized stages that build capacity and last beyond any single initiative or leader.

Contact Us

For questions, news or engagement opportunities, please email [email protected].