For the past year, I’ve been studying firsthand the revolutionary learning and teaching potential of artificial intelligence in colleges and universities. The other day something else, potentially just as important, caught my attention – a looming crisis that I believe is not getting enough attention, the growing problem of “technical debt.”
We’re all familiar, of course, with the concept of deferred maintenance – the practice of postponing necessary repairs and upgrades to physical infrastructure like buildings, HVAC systems, and electrical grids. The American Association of Universities estimates a deferred maintenance backlog of over $40 billion across U.S. colleges and universities. That’s a staggering figure, and it speaks to the scale of the challenge facing our institutions.
But while deferred maintenance of physical infrastructure is a well-known issue, the problem of technical debt in higher education – in the age of AI – is a whole new ball of electrons. Just like physical infrastructure, software and technology platforms require regular updates and maintenance to stay effective, and universities have not always invested in robust, future-proof systems.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to the operations of universities – from personalized learning platforms to research data analysis to predictive maintenance – the costs of this technical debt are going to skyrocket. Imagine trying to build cutting-edge AI tools on top of a creaky, 20-year-old student information system. It’s like building a skyscraper on a foundation of sand.
We’ve all seen a university postpone a multi-million-dollar system integration project in favor of patchwork solutions that only add to the long-term technical debt. Or they’ll invest in an AI-powered learning platform without first upgrading the underlying data infrastructure, leading to performance issues and student frustration. As pressure rises on higher education institutions, the pressure to do “good enough” will grow.
On the other hand, consider the example of Carnegie Mellon University, a pioneer in AI research and education. Several years ago, CMU leadership recognized that to stay at the forefront of AI innovation, they needed to invest not just in cutting-edge research, but in the digital infrastructure to support it.
They launched a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative to modernize their data systems, upgrade their network infrastructure, and build a cloud-based platform for AI research and education. They brought in top talent from the industry to lead the effort, and they partnered with leading tech companies to ensure they were using the latest tools and best practices. CMU has built a foundation for the AI-driven future and they are continuing to build upon it today.
This is the kind of forward-thinking investment all universities need to make – in some form or another – if they hope to remain distinctive and competitive in the age of AI. It’s not just about implementing the latest AI tools – but building the underlying digital infrastructure to support them. Of course, not every university has the resources of Carnegie Mellon. But every institution can take steps to prioritize tackling its technical debt and invest in its digital future.
Above all, it’s about recognizing that in the age of AI, digital infrastructure is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s a fundamental enabler of education and research. Universities that fail to invest in this area risk falling behind, not just in the race for AI innovation, but in their core mission of serving students and advancing knowledge.
The technical debt crisis in higher education is real, and it’s growing. But so too is the opportunity to transform our institutions for the better, to build a future where AI enhances and empowers education in ways we can only begin to imagine. Let’s seize that opportunity before the debt becomes too great to bear.
Tim Westerbeck is President of Eduvantis, a leading higher education strategic consulting and marketing services firm, and producer of the Business Education Revolution Podcast.
About the Author
Tim Westerbeck, President
Tim Westerbeck is a leading strategic advisor to higher education institutions around the world. His work focuses on helping institutions grow amidst significant disruption, by defining strategies and new business models aligned with the future.
He has served as a columnist for Businessweek and is a frequent commentator in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other global media.
Tim is also a regular presenter at global industry forums, such as the Indian Management Conclave, AACSB International, The European Foundation for Management Development, and others.
