Google Public Sector and Old Dominion University are aiming to embed AI throughout the university including research, teaching and operations workflows via an incubator.
The incubator, called MonarchSphere, Old Dominion University (ODU) is looking to use AI to accelerate discovery, personalize learning and advance student career paths.
Google Public Sector announced the deal at its Google Public Sector Summit in Washington DC.
The ODU partnership includes Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform, various Gemini models and agentic AI services. MonarchSphere is designed to be a central hub for education connecting various ODU departments.
Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, President of Old Dominion University, said the Google Public Sector pact is a "defining moment" that will make ODU a "future-ready institution." ODU is one of many universities looking for ways to embed AI into curriculum, research and operations and advance student outcomes.
Here's a look at the moving parts of the ODU-Google Public Sector partnership.
- Research. ODU researchers will have access to Google Cloud compute for AI and big data projects. Faculty can run models quickly for use cases such as genomics. ODU previously used over-taxed on-premise clusters.
- Google AI for Education Accelerator. ODU is an early member of the accelerator designed to bring AI to education institutions. Google AI for Education Accelerator includes no-cost access to Google certificates and AI training that can be integrated across curriculum and workforce training.
- Curriculum will be mapped to Google's career pathway tools. ODU faculty are also piloting Google Colab Enterprise in advanced AI courses to give students access to GPUs for model training.
- Tools for courses including Gemini Pro and Notebook LM. Course designers can generate summaries, outlines and learning materials using genAI. Workflow tools can also speed up delivery. ODU will develop an AI course assistant tool.
- ODU said it is planning to move beyond a one-size-fits-all model to one that's personalized for each student. MonarchSphere will be extended to local municipalities and small businesses in Virginia.
Dr. Chrysoula Malogianni, Associate Vice President of Innovation at ODU, said the key to the project with Google Public Sector is data management. Your data is everything.
Malogianni said your AI success largely depends on your data. "Have a data plan," she said. "AI is not a catastrophe or panacea. AI can't do anything. You need robust data. You need infrastructure and a data foundation so you can validate AI. You need to also start preparing your target population for AI adoption. If we don't understand the AI you won't have a plan."
She added that ODU put a lot of work into the data foundation along with Google Public Sector. Key assets included:
- 20 years of recorded courses and data can be combined with real time data from interactions.
- Notebooks for mind maps and course outlines to create assistants with the help of instructional designers.
- Data types from transcripts, advisors and student interests.
- The combination of course data and public data with students to create personalized journeys.
And don't forget the leadership. "It's important to have visionary leadership because transformation doesn't start from technology. It starts from visionary leadership, appropriate partnership and having a good plan," said Malogianni.
