How can a university ensure that AI tools are used reliably, pedagogically meaningfully, and consistently — even by staff without prompt expertise? This question was at the heart of a paper presented by researchers from Trainings-Online GmbH and TH OWL at the 18th international EDULearn Conference in July 2026 in Palma.
The paper “Prompt Governance in Higher Education: Curated Prompt Libraries for Reliable AI Assistance” introduces a curated prompt library as a governance approach — directly integrated into a campus management system. Rather than leaving AI usage to chance, universities can centrally manage prompts, control target audiences, and monitor usage.
The system distinguishes five prompt types: from freely editable prompts to database-based queries to agent-driven workflows that autonomously conduct literature searches in external databases. Embedded in a campus chat assistant, the system identifies the user’s intent and automatically selects suitable prompts — including contextual enrichment from module handbooks and course schedules.
The approach demonstrates: reliable AI in higher education does not require complex infrastructure — it requires smart integration into existing systems like TraiNex.