Leading Beyond the Algorithm: Empowering Faculty, Protecting Inclusion, and Reclaiming Leadership Legitimacy in AI-Driven Higher Education

What happens to faculty autonomy, student learning, inclusion, accountability, and leadership legitimacy when AI can perform substantial portions of academic work? This presentation examines that question through recent empirical research and develops a five-part higher education leadership framework focused on: ▪️ Faculty autonomy▪️ Learning integrity▪️ Equitable participation▪️ Institutional accountability▪️ Leadership legitimacy The central argument is clear: AI can assist academic work, but it should not determine the purposes, standards, responsibilities, or values of higher education. The presentation offers a framework for examining AI adoption through a higher education leadership lens and provides recommendations for faculty empowerment, student learning, inclusion, AI literacy, accountability, and institutional decision-making.