Each year, the EDUCAUSE Top 10 report outlines the biggest trends, opportunities and challenges in higher ed IT, covering the higher education IT workforce, highlighting lessons learned from the year before and what’s expected in the year ahead.
In 2026, the EDUCAUSE Top 10’s theme is Making Connections, and its report is broken into two categories: collective will and individual capabilities.
“Both of those are really about the humans who are using the technology,” said Mark McCormack, senior director of analytics and research for EDUCAUSE. “We're not really talking about the technology, per se. We're talking about whether humans have the skill sets and the will to use it.”
Collective Will
- Data analytics for operational and financial insights. Institutions are leveraging data analytics to provide insights into trends and areas for cost and operational optimization.
- Building a data-centric culture across the institution. By expanding and improving data access across campus, institutions can use data as a strategic asset.
- Knowledge management for safer AI. Integrating knowledge management into data governance, privacy and ethics programs can mitigate the risks of AI.
- Measured approaches to new technologies. By assessing current systems and investments, institutions can make better financial decisions.
- From reactive to proactive. Predictive data analytics can help institutions strengthen agility and planning.
7%
The percentage of education respondents who say their data infrastructure is optimized for artificial intelligence
Source: IDC, “Data and AI Impact Report: The Trust Imperative,” September 2025
Individual Capabilities
- Collaborative cybersecurity. Security is a shared responsibility, and creating that culture across an institution can be achieved via end-user training and access to security services.
- The human edge of AI. End users should feel empowered to creatively engage with AI tools in a safe environment.
- Technology literacy for the future workforce. Equipping students with in-demand technology skills requires discipline-specific technology training.
- AI-enabled efficiencies and growth. Automation and AI can reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve decision-making.
- Decision-maker data skills and literacy. Decision-makers should understand how to use and interpret institutional data.
Brian Stauffer/Theispot; Andry Djumantara/Getty Images
