Bournemouth University: building the foundations for AI transformation
Bournemouth University is approaching AI as part of a wider ambition to build a modern, efficient and effective institution.
Through its partnership with ICS.AI, it is taking a phased approach that connects institutional priorities, operational needs and responsible adoption.
“I really want to lead a modern, efficient, effective university… I’m very well aware that modernisation depends on a good foundation”.
The challenge: turning ambition into practical change
Bournemouth University’s BU2035 strategy sets a long-term direction for the institution. Delivering it means changing how teams work together, how performance is understood and how resources support the university’s priorities.
In AI Magazine, Gerry described an approach organised around outcomes that span departments, supported by shared goals and leadership ownership.
"A strategy is only as good as the operating model beneath it."
Within that wider transformation, AI offers an opportunity to reduce repetitive administration and give staff more capacity for student-facing and specialist work. Building the foundations for that change means considering processes, data and staff confidence alongside technology.
The approach: let evidence guide investment
Speaking at Inside the AI-Ready University on 24 September 2026, Gerry explained how learning from other organisations helped shape Bournemouth University’s approach.
An early idea was to make tools available and let experimentation develop organically. Conversations with institutions further along their AI journey showed the value of being more precise about priorities, the return expected from investment and how benefits would be demonstrated.
“For us, that learning was no to organic exploration and yes to a data-led investment strategy… We wanted to be evidence-led”, shared Gerry.
That starts with understanding the baseline: the data available, existing working practices and the systems supporting them. It gives leaders a clearer basis for deciding where to invest time, money and effort.
Working with ICS.AI: specialist support and phased decisions
Bournemouth University began by considering its own capability and capacity to deliver change. Gerry explained that the university wanted a partner to help navigate the journey, manage risk and support progress at pace.
Rather than committing to a multi-year programme up front, the university defined a first phase with clear gates. Phase 1 brings together two pieces of work:
SMART: AI Assessment across professional services, to establish readiness, prioritise opportunities and build a costed business case and phased roadmap
SMART: Workdesk AI, a governed AI workspace for staff, grounded in approved university knowledge and integrated with Microsoft 365
A decision on the next phase will follow, informed by the evidence and benefits the first phase identifies. That gives leadership and the board a clear point to review progress before any larger investment.
“We're going to have a couple of stage gates, and if it's successful, we move on. And so far, that’s been a really constructive conversation and journey with you [ICS.AI].”
Gerry Greyling, speaking about working with ICS.AI during the webinar
People and ownership at the centre
For Gerry, useful AI starts with the frustrations staff meet in everyday work. “I don’t want unicorn AI, I want functional AI that helps on the front line”.
During the webinar, he described a shift in conversations across the university. When the strategy launched, some staff asked whether AI would take their jobs. By a recent all-staff workshop, many were asking whether their areas would be included.
Gerry also stressed that service leaders, not IT, should identify the operational problems AI can help solve. IT supports delivery, while the people responsible for services retain ownership of the needs and outcomes.
“Gone are the days that IT defined the technology solutions for the institutions. I want my business owners to understand how AI can help solve operational issues”.
This connects AI adoption to the university’s wider work on performance, data and leadership accountability.
Progress and learning so far
At the webinar, Gerry highlighted several developments shaping Bournemouth University’s journey:
Clearer investment priorities: a focus on evidence, baselines and the benefits expected from each opportunity.
Growing staff interest: changing conversations about how AI could help with everyday work.
Ownership across services: an expectation that leaders understand their data, resource commitments and opportunities for improvement.
A phased partnership approach: decisions about further investment informed by progress and learning.
Looking ahead, Gerry described an ambition to release staff time for more in-person and experiential activity, delivered at pace rather than through long, multi-year projects.
Hear the story directly
Explore Bournemouth University’s approach through the leadership discussion, magazine feature and partner interview.
Hear Gerry Greyling discuss the university’s priorities, leadership choices and learning so far at Inside the AI-Ready University (September 2026). The session also includes ICS.AI demonstrations using a fictional university setting, alongside an introduction to SMART: AI Assessment and SMART: Harness.
Explore Bournemouth University’s wider approach to culture, performance and institutional change.
Hear ICS.AI's Chief Education Solutions Officer explain how ICS.AI is working with Bournemouth University to shape AI adoption around its priorities, with a focus on governance and staff and student experience.
What could this look like at your institution?
Start with a challenge worth solving: a process that takes too much staff time, a disconnected service or uncertainty about where AI could add value.
SMART: AI Assessment helps institutions examine their readiness, prioritise opportunities and develop a costed business case and phased roadmap. Bring your challenge, and we'll build a plan together.
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