White paper
Composable architecture and governed AI for public services
From siloed systems to connected campus experiences
Universities are being asked to deliver simpler, more personalized experiences while preparing for an AI-enabled future. But decades of investment in SIS, LMS, ERP, research and departmental systems have created a complex technology estate that can't simply be replaced.
The answer isn't another wholesale transformation. It's modernization from within.
Thoughtworks helps universities turn existing systems, data and institutional knowledge into reusable capabilities that can power AI agents and more adaptive, personalized experiences.
Higher education needs a new operating model
The AI Imperative
AI in higher education is moving beyond isolated pilots. Institutions need the infrastructure, governance and reusable technology capabilities to deploy AI agents and other AI-enabled services securely and responsibly across teaching, research and campus operations.
Rising expectations
Students, faculty, researchers and administrators expect simpler, more personalized digital experiences.
Fragmented foundations
Critical data, workflows and institutional knowledge remain trapped across legacy systems and organizational silos.
The governance gap
Disconnected tools and custom point-solutions lack the enterprise orchestration, observability, and shared governance needed to expand across campus.
A practical path to an AI-ready university
The Agentic University is Thoughtworks' approach to AI and technology modernization in higher education. It brings together AI infrastructure, connected institutional knowledge and governed AI agents to transform campus operations without replacing core technology investments.
Our four-layer architecture connects existing systems and data with governed AI capabilities, creating a scalable foundation for more adaptive experiences across students, faculty, administrators and researchers.
How the Agentic University works
1. AI infrastructure and operations
Build the secure, scalable infrastructure needed to support AI across teaching, research and university operations, with the governance and cost controls to operate responsibly at campus scale.
2. Connected campus systems and data
Turn legacy SIS, LMS, ERP and other university systems into reusable capabilities, trusted data products and accessible institutional knowledge, making existing systems easier to connect, reuse and evolve.
3. Governed AI and agent orchestration
Give AI agents secure access to trusted university systems, data and capabilities so they can understand context and orchestrate actions across workflows, with the governance and oversight needed to operate responsibly.
4. AI-powered campus experiences
Bring these capabilities into the tools and workflows people already use, creating more connected, adaptive experiences for students, faculty, administrators and researchers.
What the Agentic University enables
Student experience
Students get more tailored support across admissions, financial aid, advising, course selection, academic progress and career readiness. Instead of navigating disconnected university systems, they can access guided, AI-enabled experiences that bring together the right information and actions in context.
Faculty experience
Faculty gain AI-enabled support for teaching and research through capabilities such as teaching assistants, contextual content support and research copilots. The goal is to reduce administrative burden and free up more time for mentorship, teaching and research.
Administrator experience
Administrative teams can use AI agents to automate and assist with workflows across retention, enrollment, financial aid, communications and resource planning, while using connected, governed data to identify patterns and support better decisions. Because these experiences are built on reusable capabilities, they are easier to evolve and more consistent across the institution.
Researcher experience
Researchers can access better support for grant discovery, proposal drafting, experiment design and AI-enabled research workflows. Secure enclaves, high-throughput infrastructure and reusable research capabilities help move from idea to execution faster.
Move from legacy systems to an AI-ready campus.
Modernize from within. Connect fragmented systems, data and institutional knowledge to create more adaptive, AI-enabled experiences across higher education without replacing the core systems your university already depends on.
