AI for U

Ep. 41: Moving From AI Pilots to Institutional Production

Episode Summary

In this episode of AI for U, Brian sits down with Dr. Manjeet Rege, Chair of the Department of Software Engineering and Data Science at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Rege shares his journey from medical AI research to institutional strategy, arguing that the “age of piloting” is over. He breaks down what a truly operational AI organization looks like, emphasizing the need for product managers, data engineers, and robust governance frameworks. Dr. Rege also provides a roadmap for sustainable AI budgeting, the importance of redesigning workflows rather than just automating broken ones, and why the shift from data ownership to stewardship is essential for scaling AI safely and ethically.

Episode Notes

Join us as we discuss:

[2:42] The AI mindshift from academic research to an institutional strategy
[10:13] What an operational AI strategy looks like and sustainable budgeting
[17:09] Advice for schools considering building versus buying AI solutions
[21:42] Weighing data stewardship against ownership at the enterprise level

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence: Frameworks, Risks, and Society by Manjeet Rege and Hemachandran K

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Episode prompt:
You are an expert AI strategist specializing in higher education with deep experience in institutional change management, data governance, and AI implementation. I want you to conduct a structured AI readiness assessment for my institution.

Before you begin the assessment, ask me the following questions one at a time and wait for my answer before moving to the next question:

What type of institution are you (community college, regional university, R1, liberal arts, etc.) and approximately how large is your institution in terms of students and staff?
What teams or departments are you assessing? Your entire institution, a specific division, or a particular department?
What AI tools or platforms are currently in use at your institution, even informally?
Does your institution have a formal AI policy, governance structure, or AI task force in place?
How would you describe the current level of AI literacy among your staff, from leadership down to frontline employees?
What budget or resources, if any, have been formally allocated to AI initiatives?
What is your biggest AI challenge or concern right now?
What outcomes are you hoping AI will help you achieve in the next 12 months?

Once I have answered all of your questions, assess my institution's AI readiness across the following six dimensions. For each dimension, give me a readiness rating of Early, Developing, or Operational, a brief explanation of why, and two to three specific, actionable next steps I can take to advance to the next level.

The six dimensions are:

Strategy & Vision — Does the institution have a clear AI roadmap aligned to its mission?
Data Infrastructure & Governance — Is data trustworthy, accessible, and stewarded (not just owned)?
Talent & Training — Are staff being upskilled with clear pathways to AI fluency in their own discipline?
Tools & Technology — Are the right platforms in place, and is the build vs. buy decision being made intentionally?
Ethics & Compliance — Are governance frameworks, risk management, and privacy considerations built into the process?
Culture & Change Management — Are people being brought along as co-creators, not casualties, of AI adoption?

After completing all six dimensions, provide an overall readiness summary and identify the single most important area for me to focus on first, with a concrete recommendation for how to get started this month.

Guest Name: University of St. Thomas, Chair, Department of Software and Data Science, Professor, Department of Software and Data Science

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manjeetrege/

Guest Bio: Dr. Manjeet Rege is a distinguished academic and industry leader in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence. As a professor and the chair of the Department of Software Engineering and Data Science at the University of St. Thomas, he has made substantial contributions to the academic world, evidenced by his recognition as a Leading Academic Data Leader for 2023 by CDO Magazine.

Dr. Rege also serves as the Director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, where he oversees initiatives that blend academic research with practical applications in AI. His expertise is acknowledged internationally, demonstrated by the establishment of a chair professorship and analytics lab in his name at Woxsen University in Hyderabad, India, to celebrate his significant contributions in analytics.

As a thought leader, author, mentor, and keynote speaker, Dr. Rege is often featured in the media, offering his expert thoughts and opinions on the latest developments in machine learning and AI. Dr. Rege serves as an advisor to various organizations to provide guidance on data strategy and imparting technical AI expertise.

His work has been published in various peer-reviewed reputed publications, he serves on the editorial review board of journals, and regularly participates on the program committees of various international conferences.