The goal
AI Pathways is designed to help departments and administrative units thoughtfully explore where artificial intelligence can meaningfully support their work. Rather than focusing on experimentation with a single tool, the program provides structured, facilitated guidance to help teams identify high‑value opportunities for AI within existing workflows. This program is intentionally focused on helping teams recognize and articulate high‑value generative AI use cases that are grounded in their own roles, workflows, and priorities.
As part of each Pathway, the AI Support Team provides foundational learning opportunities about generative artificial intelligence, so teams begin the process with a common understanding of AI concepts, capabilities, and limitations before identifying appropriate use cases. Through focused conversations, the AI Support Team works with participants to clarify goals, surface potential efficiency or productivity gains, assess feasibility and risk, and identify realistic next steps. The emphasis is on clarity and informed decision‑making, not rapid deployment or large‑scale transformation.
The engagement
AI Pathways is an opt‑in, short‑term engagement tailored to each participating unit. Each engagement includes introductory learning and guided discussion led by the AI Support Team to establish shared understanding, followed by structured examination of current workflows and identification of potential AI‑supported opportunities. Conversations are intentionally scoped to support thoughtful analysis and practical planning within a manageable timeframe.
As use cases are identified, the AI Support Team assists units in advancing those ideas toward implementation, including coordinating with relevant campus stakeholders who hold necessary technical, policy, data, security, or governance expertise. By the conclusion of the engagement, teams have one or more implemented generative AI–supported workflows that are actively integrated into their work and aligned with their goals, enabling measurable improvements that support the unit’s success.
Responsible use
Responsible use is central to AI Pathways. All conversations and recommendations are grounded in the university’s AI Strategy and Guiding Principles and AI Guidelines and Use Cases. Considerations such as data sensitivity, ethical use, accessibility, and institutional alignment are built into the discovery process, ensuring that exploration supports innovation without creating unnecessary risk.
Why participate?
Participating units benefit from structured learning that builds collective AI knowledge, enabling teams to engage more confidently and effectively in identifying and evaluating potential uses of AI in their work.
- Gain guided support in identifying appropriate, realistic uses for AI in your unit
- Reduce uncertainty about where AI fits into your workflows and where it does not
- Explore opportunities in a structured, low‑pressure environment
- Align local innovation with university guidance and governance
- Build shared understanding and confidence across your team
Applying to participate in the AI Pathways program
Who can participate?
The AI Pathways program is available to University of Iowa non-healthcare departments and administrative units interested in exploring how generative AI may support their work. Participation is intended for teams who would like facilitated guidance in identifying, evaluating, and implementing AI‑supported workflows aligned with their local needs and university guidance.
AI Pathways timeline/process
We recognize that units have limited time, so AI Pathways engagements are designed to be structured, efficient, and focused.
- Request a pathway: Units submit a brief intake request describing their area of interest, goals, and context. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis to support transparent and equitable scheduling.
- Guided learning and discovery: The AI Support Team works with the unit to establish shared foundational understanding of AI, followed by facilitated conversations to examine workflows and identify potential high‑value generative AI use cases.
- Evaluation and coordination: Units select identified use cases and review them for feasibility, risk, and alignment with university guidance. When appropriate, the AI Support Team coordinates with relevant campus partners, such as security, data governance, procurement, or technical teams, to support implementation.
- Implementation and next steps: The engagement concludes with one or more implemented AI‑supported workflows or clearly defined implementation pathways that are actively supporting the unit’s work.
How engagements are prioritized
AI Pathways requests are reviewed using a structured rubric to ensure consistent, transparent decision‑making.
Considerations include:
- Strategic alignment with university or unit priorities
- Potential value for efficiency, quality, or service improvement
- Readiness and clarity of ownership within the unit
- Feasibility and risk, including data sensitivity and complexity
- Equitable access across campus units
This approach ensures that Pathways engagements are sequenced based on impact and readiness rather than first‑come, first‑served.
Eligibility and use expectations
AI Pathways engagements are grounded in the university’s AI Strategy and Guiding Principles and AI Guidelines and Use‑Cases.
Activities involving sensitive data, regulated environments, or other special considerations may require additional review or coordination with appropriate campus offices.
Units are expected to engage collaboratively, use AI responsibly, and align resulting workflows with institutional policies and guidance. The AI Support Team will help identify applicable requirements and support appropriate implementation pathways throughout the engagement.
Apply to the AI Pathways Program
Need help?
If you have questions about how to get started or would like some advice on how AI can assist you with work tasks, please contact the AI Support Team.
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For additional information on AI tools and AI guidelines here at the University of Iowa, check out the resources below: