Description
In this episode, Dan and Gaurav are joined by Ryan Low, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration at the University of Maine System, for a deep dive into what it takes to lead AI adoption across a large, multi-campus organization. Ryan shares how AI is moving beyond pilots and experiments into core operational workflows, reshaping shared services, financial planning, faculty engagement, and leadership practices across the system.
----more----Episode Overview
This conversation explores AI not as a standalone technology initiative, but as a leadership and systems challenge. Ryan discusses how governance, training, trust, and modeling behavior are just as important as the tools themselves when scaling AI responsibly.
Topics Covered
AI as a system-wide capability, not a niche pilot
Shared services as the highest-impact use case for AI
Using AI agents in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
Leadership modeling vs. top-down mandates
Faculty adoption and voluntary experimentation
AI literacy as an equity and access issue
Risks of organizational lag in fast-moving AI environments
Key Takeaways
AI delivers the most value when embedded in everyday tools and workflows.
Shared services offer measurable efficiency gains and better insight.
Leaders accelerate adoption by modeling use, not issuing mandates.
Continuous learning matters more than one-time AI training.
Scaling AI responsibly requires balancing speed, trust, and governance.
Resources & Mentions
Ryan Low – University of Maine System profile:https://www.maine.edu/chancellors-office/staff/
Google Gemini:https://ai.google
Microsoft Copilot:https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-copilot
Hard Fork (New York Times podcast):https://www.nytimes.com/column/hard-fork
Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Join the conversation and let us know how AI is showing up in your organization.
Stay curious. Stay human.