IREX and Development Gateway Release Higher Education AI Readiness Research

From Ambition to Adoption: Insights into University AI Readiness from Around the World finds that institutions' efforts to turn AI adoption into institutional value lag leadership ambition.

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IREX and Development Gateway announced the release of From Ambition to Adoption: Insights into University AI Readiness from Around the World, a new report on how universities use artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning, research, and administration.

Based on a global survey conducted from November 2025 to January 2026, in partnership with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report shows that while universities worldwide are racing to adopt artificial intelligence, institutions are dangerously unprepared. Only one in three has a clear AI strategy, and fewer than one in five have governance structures to manage it responsibly. Technology is outpacing the systems designed to govern it. Only 37% of respondents reported receiving ongoing AI-related training or professional development at their institutions.

"Higher education institutions are enthusiastic about AI's potential to improve teaching and learning and strengthen operational efficiency," said Josh Powell, CEO of Development Gateway. "But many are also grappling with ethical use and with preparing an AI-literate, job-ready generation. With fewer than one-third of institutions indicating they have a clear strategy, universities need funding and partnerships to build the governance, capabilities, and infrastructure required to safely scale what works."

"The data tells a story we recognize from the field: universities want to lead on AI, but the governance, skills, and infrastructure required to do so responsibly are not yet in place," said Aleksander Dardeli, President and CEO of IREX. "That gap is not a reason for caution but a call to act. We are in this space precisely because we believe the institutions that close that gap first will define what responsible AI adoption looks like for generations of learners."

The report is intended for university leaders, policymakers, and development partners seeking to benchmark readiness and prioritize investments that enable safe, ethical, and scalable AI integration.

Access the full report at https://irex.org/universityaireadiness.

Connect with IREX and Development Gateway at the AI+ Expo, May 7–9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C. (booth 1442).

IREX will also host a webinar on June 11 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT): "The Higher Education AI Reality Check: From Global Insights to Institutional Action."

About IREX
IREX partners with communities and institutions in the United States and around the world to cultivate leaders, expand access to education, and create economic opportunity. IREX delivers practical, cost-effective solutions that create lasting value for individuals and communities through its world-class AI for Education, Future-Ready Workforce, Higher Education Solutions, Leadership Development, and Online Safety practices. For more information, visit IREX.org.

About Development Gateway: An IREX Venture
Development Gateway provides data and digital solutions for international development. The organization supports governments, practitioners, and partners through expertise in data governance, government systems, and digital development. For more information, visit DevelopmentGateway.org.

Contact: James Mahoney
Phone: +1.202.628.8188
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE IREX