How Universities Are Building Data & AI Capability

Across higher education, institutions are facing: • Pressure to improve digital capability and adopt AI quickly • Data and governance challenges • And a growing need to build confidence across their workforce. So where should universities actually start? In this episode of The Digital Lounge, Crimson brings together higher education leaders to explore a more practical path forward. One that starts with people, strengthens data capability and literacy, and builds the foundations for scalable AI adoption while delivering value early by enabling teams to solve real problems, save time, and improve how a university operates. 🎙️ In this session, we focus on: Why transformation in universities starts with workforce capability, data literacy and culture, not just technology. How can institutions improve data quality, governance, and processes to create stronger foundations for AI? What early success looks like, from solving local operational challenges to saving time and improving day-to-day decision making. How initiatives like the University of Hull’s Data & AI Academy are building practical capability and measurable outcomes across teams. How universities can move from experimentation to a more scalable and sustainable approach to AI and data transformation. 👥 Featuring: Sam Bayley: Executive Director, Planning, Projects and Operations, University of Hull Sam leads strategic planning and transformation, including a university-wide Data & AI Academy designed to build digital capability at scale and deliver measurable outcomes across the institution, from improving processes and saving time to building confidence in data, digital and AI capability across teams. Nathan Smith: Industry Practice Director for Higher Education, Crimson Nathan works with universities across the UK to turn AI ambition into practical outcomes, focusing on data, digital capability, governance and transformation that delivers real value. Why listen? You'll hear how universities are: Building confidence in data and AI across their teams. Delivering early wins that prove value quickly, including reducing response times by up to 80 percent in key areas. Using approaches like academies to scale capability across the university. Creating stronger data foundations that support long-term AI adoption. About Crimson Crimson is your transformation partner, combining deep sector expertise with Microsoft and AI capabilities to help universities turn complex challenges into measurable outcomes, at a pace that works for them.