Navigating the Al Storm：Institutional Pathways of Russian Universities

Moderator: David Kyei-Nuamah, Postdoctoral Fellow, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University

Dean Speaker: Evgeniy Terentev, Dean of the Institute of Education, National Research University Nompilo Tshuma Higher School of Economics, Moscow

Discussants: Nompilo Tshuma, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Higher and Adult Education, Stellenbosch University

                  Delecia Davids, Doctoral Candidate, Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University

Abstract

The presentation will present empirical evidence on how Russian universities at the institutional level are responding to the rapid diffusion of Generative AI, moving beyond individual adoption patterns to uncover the underlying logic of organizational change.Our analysis identifies two key dimensions that shape institutional responses: leadership attitudes toward GenAI (1) whether viewed as a risk to academic quality or an opportunity for educational enhancement, and (2) the predominant source of organizational change, ranging from managed top-down policies to organic bottom-up initiatives or deliberate inaction. The intersection of these dimensions yields a typology of six distinct university types: Regulators, Innovators, Experimenters, Hesitants, Conservatives, and Wait-and-see institutions. For example, "Regulators" impose strict top-down policies to mitigate perceived risks, while "Innovators" proactively harness opportunities through centralized support structures. In contrast, "Experimenters" foster grassroots initiatives to co-create new pedagogical practices, whereas "Hesitants" remain paralyzed by ambivalence, delegating decisions without strategic direction. Crucially, we demonstrate that even within a centralized national system, the absence of clear federal mandates has led to strikingly divergent strategic postures, from proactive leadership to deliberate status quo preservation. These findings, grounded in Russia’s context of technological isolation and institutional stratification, could provide a robust analytical tool for diagnosing institutional stances and anticipating strategic behavior in the GenAI era. Finally, we will separately discuss the experience of HSE University in developing a comprehensive institutional strategy for responding to AI, offering a concrete case of how one leading university has systematically addressed this challenge.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v48HF6ybxeg