Higher education leaders are under growing pressure to ensure students graduate with practical AI skills, yet many institutions are still defining what AI readiness should look like across curriculum, policy, and workforce strategy.

This guide, from the Center for Digital Education and sponsored by Coursera, explores how colleges and universities can move beyond experimentation and take a more structured approach to AI learning. It outlines what academic leaders need to consider as they prepare students to use AI effectively in learning, careers, and life.

Inside, you will learn:

• Why the AI skills gap is widening between what institutions teach and what employers now expect

• Which foundational AI skills students need for learning, careers, and life, including responsible use, data literacy, and critical thinking

• How institutions can embed AI literacy into existing programs rather than isolating it in standalone courses

• What higher education systems and institutions can do to build partnerships, pathways, and workforce alignment

• How faculty and staff can be supported through training, engagement, and institution-wide AI initiatives

• What peer institutions are doing now to expand AI learning through curriculum development, credentials, and cross-campus strategy

• These insights highlight how addressing the AI skills gap in education requires practical training, real-world application, and continuous learning.

Download the guide to see how your institution can take a more strategic approach to AI readiness and student success.