Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from theory to practice to essential business and educational tool, and Bryant University has joined an elite group that’s leading the drive for AI application and sustainable innovation in higher education and the workforce.
Bryant recently joined the Digital Education Council (DEC) initiated by SuperCharger Ventures, the world’s largest education technology accelerator, along with more than a dozen high-profile universities from around the world. The DEC’s mission is to increase access to cutting-edge AI resources and knowledge sharing among thought leaders in higher education. 
“Bryant’s participation in the Digital Education Council reflects our deep commitment to leading with purpose in the age of AI,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D., who serves as Bryant's expert delegate for AI in education to the DEC. “With our interdisciplinary approach and focus on real-world application, Bryant is positioned to be a global leader in applied artificial intelligence. We are embedding AI across disciplines to ensure our students, faculty, and community are prepared not only to navigate change, but to drive it.”
Bryant is taking an intentional, interdisciplinary approach to AI that touches every aspect of the university, from the development of academic guidelines on AI to faculty research to the integration of AI across the curriculum.
“Bryant’s participation in the Digital Education Council reflects our deep commitment to leading with purpose in the age of AI."
Notably, Bryant developed the first AI graduate program from a business school in the United States, the AI Foundations Certificate, which launched in October 2024. In the fall of 2025, Bryant will launch an interdisciplinary minor in Applied AI. To date, dozens of courses across disciplines have been redesigned to emphasize AI application.
“As a university that drives innovation, agility, and real-world impact, Bryant is proud to collaborate with peer institutions shaping the future of applied artificial intelligence says Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D., Bryant’s vice president for strategy and institutional effectiveness who serves on the DEC’s ESG and Sustainability Working Group. “By supporting DEC’s approach to embedding sustainability principles into digital education, this partnership strengthens Bryant’s commitment to delivering a transformative education that prepares students to lead in an AI-enabled economy.”
"This partnership strengthens Bryant’s commitment to delivering a transformative education that prepares students to lead in an AI-enabled economy.”
Todd Alessandri, Ph.D., dean of Bryant's College of Business, serves as an expert delegate to the DEC’s Business School Deans Working Group.
“In the College of Business, we view artificial intelligence not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for innovation across industries,” says Alessandri. “This initiative strengthens our ability to deploy AI across the curriculum in meaningful, hands-on ways.”
Founded in 2024, the DEC’s mission is to help organizations around the world address the impact of AI and other emerging issues, bringing together leading institutions, experts, and innovators to shape the future of education and work.
Alessandro Di Lullo, CEO of the DEC, said Bryant’s "efforts in adopting AI reflect our shared goal of advancing the use of technology to shape the future of education.”
DEC’s work includes producing executive briefings on artificial intelligence frameworks, regulation, and technology’s impact on academic integrity.
Danny Bielik, president of the DEC, echoed Di Lullo, saying: “Bryant University's involvement brings valuable insights as we focus on AI governance in education. Their ongoing work in exploring AI’s potential across academic and operational areas will help inform our practical approach to navigating AI’s role in higher education.”
"[Bryant's] ongoing work in exploring AI’s potential across academic and operational areas will help inform our practical approach to navigating AI’s role in higher education.”
Other DEC institutions include Bocconi University in Milan, Italy; Singapore Management University; Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Melbourne Business School, Esade Business School in Barcelona, the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Mexico, and the Wits Business School in South Africa.
