Ethical Stewardship and Faculty Development: Leadership Responsibilities in AI-Supported Tutoring at California Community Colleges

New Research: Ethical Stewardship and Faculty Development in AI-Supported Tutoring Leadership Responsibilities at California Community Colleges Generative AI tutoring systems are being introduced across open-access institutions, yet many policies lack the structure needed to guide ethical use and faculty preparation. This study examines how California Community Colleges address leadership responsibilities during the implementation of AI-supported tutoring, with a focus on ethical conduct, professional readiness, and institutional accountability. Research Focus Using qualitative archival research and narrative analysis, the study reviews AI policy documents, faculty development materials, and institutional reports. Bass’s Transformational Leadership Theory (1985) provides a framework for interpreting leadership behavior, while ethical stewardship principles guide the evaluation of institutional responsibility. Key Findings · Ethical principles are stated in official documents but are not consistently supported by procedures that confirm responsible use. · Faculty development varies in structure, relevance, and depth across campuses. · Systems for reviewing AI-supported tutoring practices are limited or absent. · Leadership behaviors that reflect integrity, mentorship, and instructional support appear inconsistently across institutional materials. Recommendations · To support ethical conduct and faculty readiness, the study proposes: · Embedding ethical stewardship into faculty development programs. · Defining leadership roles that support responsible AI use in tutoring. · Establishing procedures that verify ethical implementation across campuses. · Establishing structured review processes for the adoption of AI tutoring systems.Promoting transparency and fairness in institutional decision-making. Conclusion Generative AI in open-access institutions requires leadership that is clear, consistent, and professionally accountable. This study outlines practical strategies based on transformational leadership that support ethical conduct, faculty preparation, and institutional responsibility across California’s community college system.