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Virginia Tech AI Governance

Ensuring responsible artificial intelligence through structured leadership and community engagement.

Notice

The AI Working Committee structure described on this page represents the recommended governance framework from the September 2025 Responsible and Ethical AI Framework for Virginia Tech report. The committee has not yet been formed. IT Governance leadership is currently reviewing the recommendations and will announce the committee formation timeline.

Interim Guidance

While the AI Working Committee is being established, the university community should:

  • Refer to the published Responsible and Ethical AI Framework for guidance
  • Consult with existing IT governance structures for urgent AI-related decisions
  • Contact DoIT 4Help (https://4help.vt.edu/) for questions about AI implementation
  • Follow current university policies regarding data security and privacy

Introduction

Virginia Tech is establishing comprehensive AI governance to guide responsible artificial intelligence adoption across all university functions. Our governance approach ensures specialized AI expertise while integrating with university-wide technology governance, providing clear accountability and decision-making structures.

AI Working Committee

Overview

The AI Working Committee will serve as a formal standing working committee within Virginia Tech's IT governance framework, reporting to the IT Governance Advisory Committee with delegated responsibility for AI-related issues across the university.

Structure and Authority

Advisory Role

The AI Working Committee will provide advisory stewardship over shared practices, policies, and resources that enable responsible AI adoption. The committee will make recommendations to campus leadership through established governance channels, with operational implementation decisions remaining with appropriate campus leaders and units.

Decision Framework

  • Advisory Functions: Guidance and recommendations on AI policies, standards, and implementations
  • Operational Support: Day-to-day AI implementation decisions remain with campus operational leaders
  • High-Risk Review: Committee advises executive leadership on high-risk AI implementations
  • Policy Development: Authority for AI policy development will be determined through the IT governance process

Integration with IT Governance

The AI Working Committee will operate in parallel to other standing committees, such as the Research Technology Working Committee and Teaching and Learning Working Committee, ensuring AI governance benefits from enterprise-wide technology coordination while maintaining focused expertise.

Specialized Subgroups

The AI Working Committee will establish domain-focused subgroups to ensure comprehensive guidance across university functions:

AI for Teaching & Learning

  • Develops practical faculty guidance and implementation guides
  • Creates syllabus language templates and assessment strategies
  • Establishes student AI literacy curriculum and faculty training programs

AI for Research

  • Develops research-specific guidance and intellectual property guidelines
  • Establishes publication standards and data handling protocols
  • Addresses ethical review processes for AI-assisted research

AI for Operations

  • Focuses on administrative AI implementations
  • Develops guidelines for automated decision systems with human oversight
  • Establishes vendor evaluation procedures and staff training programs

Implementation Timeline

Current Status: Awaiting Committee Formation

The Virginia Tech AI Working Group has completed its charge and published the Responsible and Ethical AI Framework for Virginia Tech (September 2025). The AI Working Group has been formally disbanded.

Next Steps

  • IT Governance leadership review of recommendations (In Progress)
  • Appointment of AI Working Committee members (Timeline TBD)

Get Involved

Committee Membership

Committee members will be appointed through the IT governance process, bringing together academic, administrative, and technical perspectives from across the university.

Community Engagement

The AI Working Committee will establish mechanisms for ongoing community input and feedback on AI governance decisions.

Stay Informed

  • Future Committee Membership: IT Governance leadership is identifying membership for the AI Governance Working Committee, and committee members will be appointed through the IT governance structure soon. Check back for updates on the timeline and nomination processes.
  • Community Input: While the formal committee structure is being established, community members can provide feedback on the published framework to Dale Pike (dalepike@vt.edu) and David Raymond (raymondd@vt.edu).

Resources

Governance Documents

Meeting Information

Committee meetings: To be established upon formation

Additional Information

Further details about AI governance at Virginia Tech will be provided as the implementation progresses and the AI Working Committee is formed.

Related Information

This page reflects the governance structure outlined in the Responsible and Ethical AI Framework for Virginia Tech, published September 2025.

Last Updated: September 2025