University of Phoenix has published a new white paper, Three Pillars for Embracing AI at University of Phoenix , by Christina Neider, Ed.D., and Marc Booker, Ph.D., outlining the University's institutional framework for integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) across academic programs, student learning experiences, and institutional processes, policies and workflows while helping prepare working adult learners for an AI-enabled workforce.
As generative AI continues to reshape workforce experiences across industries , the white paper examines the role higher education institutions can play in helping learners develop the knowledge, skills and judgment needed to use AI effectively and responsibly. Drawing on University of Phoenix's generative AI implementation work, authors Christina Neider, Ed.D., Vice Provost of Colleges, and Marc Booker, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Strategy, share a scalable, three-pillar framework for AI adoption aligned with workforce relevance and student success.
How the AI integration framework is organized
The University’s three pillar approach is informed by the human-centered Digital Education Council AI Literacy Framework and reflects the University's broader commitment to helping learners develop foundational AI knowledge, practical skills and responsible-use habits. The three pillars of AI integration are:
Together, these pillars reflect an institution-wide approach to AI adoption designed to balance innovation, ethical use and learner outcomes.
“The rapid evolution of Generative AI is forcing institutions to transform in order to best support students,” said Dr. Booker. “The imperative with AI in higher education is to take a wholistic institutional approach that integrates thoughtfully across governance, tools, processes and curriculum. This framework helps organize that approach in a way that builds on policy to strengthen cross-departmental connections as well as operational and academic functions.”
How the framework is being implemented
The authors note that learners increasingly need foundational AI knowledge, practical application skills and the ability to evaluate AI-generated content critically as AI tools become more integrated into professional environments. At the University, students all have access to a generative AI platform and an elective introductory GenAI course. In order to facilitate AI understanding across all programs and courses, University of Phoenix developed a set of brief, self-paced AI essentials modules, embedded in the learning management system, where students can take to help develop AI literacy and confidence. The Phoenix Success Series, the introductory course sequence for first-year students, will also introduce generative AI as a support tool for student learning in 2026. The University has also deployed an interactive tool for creating Socratic dialogues in five courses, reaching approximately 1,300 students across disciplines through scenario-based, faculty reviewed practice. More than 20 degree programs have been strategically selected for curriculum revisions, with at least two AI-integrated summative assessments planned in each by March 2027.
The paper describes how AI tools have been implemented in thoughtful way to support students and faculty, focused on improving the learning experience by making it easier to navigate so students. These tools include use cases currently being piloted and available to users at every level, such as general AI assistance for students, academic services related questions in the classroom environment, faculty-specific AI assistance, and course-specific AI assistants supporting students with content and curriculum related inquiries connected to the course they are enrolled in.
This pillar also includes forms of AI-enabled support, from broad student-service assistance to course-connected academic help inside the learning environment.
The paper emphasizes that meaningful AI implementation extends beyond students and includes faculty, staff, policies, training and operational practices that encourage responsible use.
The authors describe how the university is applying AI to improve both academic and business efficiencies, and how this pillar reflects the position that ethical AI use requires institutions to bring policy into practice. An established philosophy on generative AI in 2023, has informed the policy development, faculty guidance and creation of AI literacy resources designed to support responsible use across the institution. Further, the paper describes how its Center for AI Resources was foundational to this effort, and has resources designed for students, faculty and staff, with over 90,000 users to date.
The framework reflects the opportunity for institutions to help learners build AI-related skills that align with evolving employer expectations and workplace demands.
“Working adult learners need meaningful opportunities to practice, improve outcomes and understand the ethical considerations that accompany AI use,” said Dr. Neider. “AI literacy requires human judgement as well as practice. By embedding AI throughout the academic experience, we can help students develop the skills and responsible-use habits increasingly valued by employers.”
About the white paper
Three Pillars for Embracing AI at University of Phoenix is an institutional white paper by Christina Neider, Ed.D., and Marc Booker, Ph.D., describing the University’s generative AI implementation experience as a scalable model for higher education. The paper describes the University’s three-pillar approach, informed by the Digital Education Council AI Literacy Framework, to integrating AI across curriculum, learning experiences, policies and institutional processes, with a focus on responsible use and working adult learners.
The complete white paper is available here.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life ® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.