Notre Dame wins university’s Presidential Award for AI governance framework

The University of Notre Dame’s AI Enablement Team has been honored with the Presidential Team Irish Award for successfully establishing the university’s artificial intelligence infrastructure and governance framework. The collaborative effort between the Office of Information Technology and Hesburgh Libraries has positioned Notre Dame as a leader in responsible AI adoption across higher education.

What you should know: The team created comprehensive AI capabilities and ethical guidelines that now serve the entire Notre Dame community.

• They developed secure access to generative AI tools while establishing clear best practices for ethical use and data protection.
• The team built a foundational campus AI platform that will support responsible AI adoption for years to come.
• Their work included establishing an AI Innovation Council to guide future AI initiatives across the university.

Why this matters: Notre Dame’s approach demonstrates how universities can proactively address AI integration challenges while maintaining ethical standards and security protocols.

• The initiative addresses the critical need for responsible AI use in academic and operational settings as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in higher education.
• By combining technical infrastructure with governance frameworks, the team has created a model that other universities can follow for responsible AI deployment.

The big picture: This recognition reflects Notre Dame’s strategic positioning at the intersection of technological innovation and ethical leadership in academia.

• The team’s work extends beyond campus, with their leadership influencing AI adoption practices across the broader higher education community.
• The initiative solidifies Notre Dame’s reputation as an institution that embraces cutting-edge technology while maintaining strong ethical foundations.

Who’s involved: The AI Enablement Team represents a cross-functional collaboration between Notre Dame’s technology and library services.

• The Office of Information Technology provided the technical infrastructure and security expertise necessary for safe AI deployment.
• Hesburgh Libraries contributed educational resources and best practice development to ensure responsible AI use across academic disciplines.