AI Readiness in Educational Institutions: A Policy-Aligned Framework for Strategy, Governance, and Responsible Adoption

Abstract

This paper presents a policy-aligned framework for assessing and enhancing AI readiness in educational institutions. Drawing on secondary research and existing international standards, it integrates strategic, governance, and ethical dimensions to guide responsible AI adoption across teaching, research, and administration. The framework aligns institutional capabilities with key policy references, including the EU AI Act, OECD AI Principles, and UNESCO's recommendations for education and AI. It identifies core domains such as strategy formulation, governance structures, workforce capability, data management, and ethical compliance, proposing measurable indicators for each. The study offers an actionable roadmap for universities and ministries to evaluate their current maturity, close capability gaps, and ensure trustworthy, transparent, and policy-compliant implementation of artificial intelligence in education.