Board adopts systemwide AI and emergent technology policy to govern campus use

The South Dakota Board of Regents voted to adopt BOR policy 7.9, a first‑and‑final reading that establishes systemwide governance for artificial intelligence and emergent technologies. Board staff described the policy as a combination of shared terminology, technical controls, and a managed platform to allow innovation while protecting sensitive data.

David Overby, interim systems chief information officer, told the board the policy "is not simply about allowing AI tools. It is about creating a governed system wide AI environment. The goal is to support innovation while ensuring that sensitive data remains protected." The policy sets five technical governance priorities, requires classification rules for data and that regulated/restricted data remain within the guarded system, and tasks the central office with oversight and auditability. Regents moved, waived the two‑reading requirement, and approved the policy by voice vote. The board acknowledged the policy may evolve as technologies change but praised the rapid development of governance work.