Who’s Steering the Digital Ship?

Leadership in the Age of Algorithms

As higher education rapidly integrates AI and digital platforms, a critical question looms: Who’s really in charge of the technology, and is that leadership equipped for the task? The article from Inside Higher Ed stresses the growing need for senior campus leaders to take ownership of digital decisions that shape teaching, research, and institutional equity. Too often, critical calls are left to vendors or IT departments without strategic oversight from provosts, deans, and presidents. The piece argues that digital governance shouldn’t be siloed—it must be rooted in institutional mission and academic integrity.

Reclaiming Institutional Agency

The op-ed pushes for a radical reframing of digital transformation—not as a technology challenge but as a leadership imperative. Faculty should be involved, administrative leaders must be digitally literate, and decisions about platforms and policies should be transparent and mission-aligned. By defaulting to external solutions and hands-off governance, universities risk undermining values like academic freedom and accessibility. The call is clear and urgent: reclaiming digital agency is not optional—it’s foundational to the future of education.