AI and the Future of Universities
A new collection of essays, AI and the Future of Universities (HEPI Report 193) edited by Dr Giles Carden and Josh Freeman, brings together leading voices from universities, industry and policy. The collection comes at a point when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to have a profound and transformative impact on virtually every sector of society and the economy, driving changes that are both beneficial and challenging. The various pieces look at how AI is reshaping higher education – from strategy, teaching and assessment to research and professional services.
The nine human contributors include:
- Dr Vinton G Cerf, Vice-President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google;
- Professor Dame Wendy Hall FRS, Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton; and
- Professor Rose Luckin, Professor of Learner Centred Design at the UCL Knowledge Lab.
The collection, which has been kindly supported by the University of Southampton, includes a chapter on ‘Artificial intelligence and the future of research’ written by OpenAI’s ChatGPT using a carefully created prompt. Readers are asked to compare this piece to the human-written essays and to form their own opinions on its strengths and weaknesses.
The Foreword by Wendy Hall and Giles Carden states:
The chapters are not just a collection of essays on AI but a call to action. They frame the AI revolution not as a threat to be mitigated but as an opportunity to rethink the purpose and practice of higher education fundamentally. By drawing out the key themes, contrasting perspectives and areas of convergence and divergence, the collection aims to stimulate critical dialogue, encourage innovative practice and, ultimately, empower institutions to navigate this transformative era with foresight and purpose, ensuring AI elevates, rather than diminishes, the pursuit of knowledge and intelligence.
Key findings
- AI Literacy: Universities should embed AI literacy for staff and students, focusing on knowledge, ethics, transparency and continuous learning.
- Technology: Choice of technology is crucial and universities need a strategy and roadmap to ensure a joined-up approach to AI implementation. The economics of AI capabilities will need to be carefully evaluated to ensure value for money.
- Assessment: Generative AI challenges traditional exams and essays, requiring a shift toward evaluating creativity and critical thinking.
- The workforce: Institutions need to assess AI skills, embed them in professional development and nurture AI’s pedagogical leaders.
- Strategic advantage: AI can revolutionise strategy and operations though real-time insights, predictive modelling and efficiency gains.
- Human intelligence: Rather than replacing human cognition, AI could enhance it.
- Research: AI accelerates literature reviews, data analysis and interdisciplinary work alongside raising questions about ethics, bias and authorship.
Dr Giles Carden, Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Southampton, who has edited the collection, co-written the Foreword and contributed a chapter, said.
AI is not a distant prospect – it’s already a ubiquitous part of our lives. So these essays arrive at a pivotal moment. The report is a call to action for universities to embrace change, transform professional services, rethink educational models and prepare graduates for an AI-driven world of work, ensuring AI serves to improve, not diminish, the human pursuit of knowledge.
Nick Hillman OBE, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said:
Every day, at least one person asks me what AI means for higher education. No one can answer that question with complete certainty just yet. But this collection of pieces by leading thinkers lights the way ahead.
It shows where AI is already making a difference and outlines AI’s future potential while, crucially, not diminishing the challenges it poses.
Notes for Editors
HEPI was founded in 2002 to influence the higher education debate with evidence. HEPI is UK-wide, independent and non-partisan. HEPI is funded by organisations and higher education institutions that wish to support vibrant policy discussions, as well as through events. HEPI is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
Comments
Add comment