Artificial intelligence in higher education

What role should artificial intelligence play in higher education? From ChatGPT to DeepSeek, generative AI (GenAI) tools of all kinds are forcing a rethink of university teaching, assessment, research and administrative work. Find out how to build AI literacy across an institution, use GenAI to support learning, harness AI tools as teaching and research assistants and manage the risks posed by GenAI and other AI technologies.

Human and AI working together

Enhance GenAI collaboration for future-proof research support

Embrace the possibilities of generative AI in research support with a strategic mindset. Ryan Henderson, Ayla Kruis and Tse-Hsiang Chen share their practical framework for successful human-AI collaboration

Ryan Henderson, Ayla Kruis, Tse-Hsiang Chen

University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University

Young Black woman lying on bed looking at phone

Transforming mental health in South African universities: the promise of AI chatbots

Artificial intelligence can offer promise for student mental health services in Africa. AI-driven chatbots can provide a nonjudgemental, readily available, cost-effective avenue for individuals to access information, support and guidance, writes Matete Madiba

Matete Madiba

University of the Western Cape

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Artificial intelligence – friend or foe? It’s up to academia

Higher education will be instrumental in determining whether generative AI ends up as a friend or enemy. Ibiyemi Omeihe and Kingsley O. Omeihe outline what universities can do at this crucial tipping point

Ibiyemi Omeihe , Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

robot tin can telephone

Talking to students about AI

Socio-economic, cultural, geographic and other factors mean that some students know more about AI than others, and we can’t have an effective discussion about AI and academic integrity until we all know what we’re talking about, writes John Weldon

John Weldon

Victoria University

Students discussing prompt writing in class

Teach students to use GenAI to create characters for stories

Over time, students will learn to perfect their prompts and work side by side with AI to enhance their creativity, write Gloria Anahí Molina Barrón and Pamela Inés Marroquin Alanis

Gloria Anahí Molina Barrón , Pamela Inés Marroquin Alanis

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Student sat at a desk listening to an off-screen teacher in cass

How to assess and enhance students’ AI literacy

Students must learn to critically evaluate AI and use it to boost their productivity. Rohini R. Rao explains

Rohini Rao

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Two male Asian students working together

An assessment design that promotes learning and academic integrity

Identity-verified assessment can be used alongside online tasks to check students’ understanding and foster collaborative learning, writes Carl Sherwood

Carl Sherwood

The University of Queensland

Robot hand typing

The (AI) sky isn’t falling

Students using generative AI to write their essays is a problem, but it isn’t a crisis, writes Christopher Hallenbrook. We have the tools to tackle the issue of artificial intelligence

Christopher R. Hallenbrook

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Illustration of a man in a rowboat

AI did not disturb assessment – it just made our mistakes visible

If educators don’t understand the learning processes, they also miss the reasons why students cheat, writes Margault Sacré. Here, she offers an approach to motivate and benchmark progress

Margault Sacré

University of Luxembourg

assessment concept

Leverage large language models to assess soft skills in lifelong learning

Leadership and critical-thinking skills are difficult to measure. Here, Jonna Lee offers case studies that test the idea of integrating large language models into assessment practices as a feedback tool to empower both students and instructors

Jonna Lee

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A robot and human hand put two jigsaw puzzle pieces together

Rather than restrict the use of AI, let’s embrace the challenge it offers

Using the AI assessment scale, we can equip students with the skills they’ll need for the future workplace. Mike Perkins and Jasper Roe explain how

Mike Perkins, Jasper Roe

British University Vietnam, James Cook University Singapore

using AI concept

How students’ GenAI skills and reflection affect assignment instructions

The ability to use generative AI is akin to time management or other learning skills that students need practice to master. Here, Vincent Spezzo and Ilya Gokhman offer tips to make sure instructions land equally no matter students’ level of AI experience

Vincent Spezzo, Ilya Gokhman

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Researcher looking through a microscope in a lab

The GenAI awakening: navigating the new frontier of research support

As generative AI gains traction in the world of research, Ryan Henderson and Ayla Kruis shed light on using it responsibly in research support

Ryan Henderson, Ayla Kruis

Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht

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Campus talks: the future of XR and immersive learning

Immersive technology expert Monica Arés explains how the combination of artificial intelligence and extended reality in education has the potential to unlock curiosity and learning, the costs that come with these tools and what she thinks teaching technology will look like in 2034

Monica Arés

Imperial College London

A student studying at a laptop

In an artificially intelligent age, frame higher education around a new kind of thinking

One of the helpful by-products emerging from the advent of AI is that we are beginning to reflect more critically on the way we think, writes David Holland

David Holland

The University of East Anglia

AI in healthcare concept

Charting the future: ChatGPT’s impact on nursing education and assessments

Interactive workshops and user-friendly guides can unlock the potential of ChatGPT in assessment and overcome initial hesitation around its use. Here, Dianne Stratton-Maher looks at ethical and responsible use of generative AI

Dianne Stratton-Maher

The University of Southern Queensland

Students discussing AI in the classroom

How to partner with AI and improve the learning experience

As generative AI permeates the classroom, educators are faced with a very important question: is it a friend or a foe?

K. V. Sriram

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

The Thinker statue, made out of wires

Use artificial intelligence to get your students thinking critically

When crafting online courses, teaching critical thinking skills is crucial. Urbi Ghosh shows how generative AI can shape how educators can approach this

Urbi Ghosh

Colorado State University Global

Students in an exam hall

Designing assessments with generative AI in mind

A new era of AI requires a balance between thoughtfully mitigating and responsibly promoting student use of new tools

Kate Crane

Dalhousie University

AI concept

The ‘deep learn’ framework: elevating AI literacy in higher education

AI literacy is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a critical skill for university students. The ‘deep learn’ framework offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing literacy around artificial intelligence and application in higher education settings

Birgit Phillips

FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences

A robot drops papers as it's caught in a flashlight beam

Is it time to turn off AI detectors?

In this extract from their new book, ‘Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning’, José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson discuss the reliability of AI detection tools and how to combat cheating without them

José Antonio Bowen, C. Edward Watson

American Association of Colleges and Universities

filling out form on laptop

AI can help fix student evaluations

With large language models to provide reports and analysis, educators can make use of generative AI to improve the process of student evaluations, writes Adnan Ajšić

Adnan Ajšić

American University of Sharjah

Evolution of man

Adapt, evolve, elevate: ChatGPT is calling for interdisciplinary action

Our response to ChatGPT and its successors should be one that encourages open, interdisciplinary discourse and supports research investigating AI from every angle

Leanne Ramer

Simon Fraser University

Arrows diverting into two streams

The trouble with Bloom’s taxonomy in an age of AI

When using large language models to create learning tasks, educators should be careful with their prompts if the LLM relies on Bloom’s taxonomy as a supporting dataset. Luke Zaphir and Dale Hansen break down the issues

Luke Zaphir , Dale Hansen

The University of Queensland

Student looking at a hologram of a brain

How can we teach AI literacy skills?

Universities have made positive strides in improving digital literacy for graduates, but now they need to do the same for AI literacy

Christine O’Dea, Michael O’Dea

King’s College London, University of York

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Campus talks: human connection and the student experience

Two Australian academics take on the role of person-to-person contact in student success and well-being in higher education – whether that’s the benefits of in-person teaching or the effects of using AI for academic work

Jan Slapeta, Joseph Crawford

University of Sydney, University of Tasmania

Digital marketing concept

Transforming marketing lectures with AI and simulations

How do we teach students marketing theory while preparing them for an evolving professional landscape? Rohim Mohammed looks at how artificial intelligence and simulations foster practical, interactive learning

Rohim Mohammed

University College Birmingham

Two students stitting outside on the grass with their laptop and text books

We need to address the generative AI literacy gap in higher education

Holding open the question of generative AI’s role in higher education presents an opportunity for us to model our access values to our students, colleagues and the wider public, writes Kyle Jensen

Kyle Jensen

Arizona State University

Volunteers at a food bank

How to foster a civic mindset in the era of AI

Create spaces that allow small groups of people to see themselves in a broader context, encourage them to dream of what possibilities and opportunities could exist and then help them to take action

Robert Huish

Dalhousie University

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Campus talks: an interview with James Purnell, president and vice-chancellor of University of the Arts London

The president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London talks about how AI will affect the creative sector, the connection between cities, commerce and creativity, and how UAL plans to pioneer online creative education

James Purnell

University of the Arts London

A human hand writes in a notebook while a robot hand types on a computer

Can academics tell the difference between AI-generated and human-authored content?

A recent study asked students and academics to distinguish between scientific abstracts generated by ChatGPT and those written by humans. Omar Siddique analyses the results

Omar Siddique

University of Adelaide

Webinar graphic

Campus webinar: Can universities keep pace with digital transformation?

Three Australian digital education experts from the Campus+ network explore the benefits and risks of AI and VR in teaching and learning, and gauge higher education’s pace of digital transformation

Edward Palmer, Julie Lindsay, Karen Blackmore

University of Adelaide, The University of Southern Queensland , The University of Newcastle, Australia

Four stages of robot evolution concept

Four steps for integrating generative AI in learning and teaching

From class preparation to critical thinking and reflection, this four-step checklist will help university teachers support the ethical and informed use of artificial intelligence tools in the classroom

Zheng Feei Ma, Antony Hill

University of the West of England Bristol

A teacher gestures to a computer while three students listen

Transition from expert to guide by embracing generative AI

In the process of learning how to use generative AI, Kyrin Liong rekindled her inner student

Kyrin Liong

Singapore Institute of Technology

Cat in a box

Don’t just chat(GPT): turn on critical interrogation

Critical thinking is often seen as the antidote to generative AI. But what if educators took it one step further back and aimed to encourage students’ curiosity? Giuseppe Cimadoro explains

Giuseppe Cimadoro

St Mary’s University Twickenham

Robot in business meeting

Three ways to use ChatGPT to enhance students’ critical thinking in the classroom

The balance between technology and traditional educational values, as well as ensuring that AI complements, rather than replaces, the human element in education, are the keys to maximising AI’s benefits in the classroom, writes Nikolas Dietis

Nikolas Dietis

University of Cyprus

human hands using laptop with robot hand emerging from screen

Students see the benefits of AI-generated learning content

Students might already show a preference for AI-generated online learning content, so academic colleagues and institutions need to capitalise on this to improve resource management and staff well-being, write Dean Fido and Gary F. Fisher

Dean Fido, Gary F. Fisher

University of Derby

A illustration of four robots beating a human in a hurdles race

Go head-to-head with ChatGPT to enhance your students’ personal learning

Pitting yourself against artificial intelligence can enhance your students’ motivation and critical thinking. Eric Tsui shows how

Eric Tsui

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Young female student writing at a desk

Writing responsibly: how to use reflective practices to navigate ChatGPT

Reflective writing exercises can mitigate the influence of artificial intelligence on students’ learning, while also enriching understanding and giving students a chance to express themselves, writes Mario Carrera

Mariano Carrera

King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok

Business students writing prompts for AI

Embrace AI tools to improve student writing

Rather than trying to keep it out of the classroom, here are ways faculty can facilitate more effective use of ChatGPT for writing assignments

Pamela Bourjaily

University of Iowa

A student uses a chat bot while she studies

Three ways AI can support student success and well-being

A virtual assistant helped free up human resources at the University of Galway and revealed student issues that staff could not have predicted

Josephine Walsh

University of Galway

AI concept

Learning the machine: shaping the future of creative education

Educators should engage with artificial intelligence and other technologies not just as users but as influencers, write Ed D’Souza and Sunil Manghani

Ed D'Souza, Sunil Manghani

University of Southampton

A yellow toy robot waves hello

How hard can it be? Testing the dependability of AI detection tools

Students are using artificial intelligence to write essays and other assessment tasks, but can they fool the AI detection tools? Daniel Lee and Edward Palmer put a few to the test

Daniel Lee, Edward Palmer

University of Adelaide

Asian woman working with robot arm

Interdisciplinarity is a core part of AI’s heritage and its future

To train students to engage responsibly with artificial intelligence, a genuinely interdisciplinary perspective – from the language used to recognising that human and machine work in concert – is essential, write Elvin Lim and Jonathan Chase

Elvin Lim , Jonathan Chase

Singapore Management University

Cooperation and partnership between robot and human stock illustration

Roles for AI to play in the classroom

From supporting classroom debate and discussion to problem-solving and decision-making, here are ways that artificial intelligence can enhance teaching and learning

Carl Follmer

University of Iowa

Brain supplanted by machine AI

Will ChatGPT change our definitions of cheating?

We can’t yet know if we have a full taxonomy of ChatGPT-enhanced mischief, or whether certain uses should be classed as mischief at all, writes Tom Muir

Tom Muir

Oslo Metropolitan University

Cartoon of a detective with a magnifying glass analysing a piece of paper being held by a robot

Can we detect AI-written content?

A look at common features of large language model-created writing and its implications for how we might assess students’ knowledge and skills in the future

Cesare Giulio Ardito

The University of Manchester

Metacognition with AI

How to strengthen your metacognitive skills to collaborate effectively with AI

To follow their previous piece on why metacognition is crucial for collaborating with Generative AI, Sidra and Claire Mason reveal how to boost those specific metacognitive skills

Sidra, Claire Mason

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Two engineers working together in a laboratory

ChatGPT and generative AI: 25 applications to support research

In the fifth and final part of their series looking at 100 ways to use ChatGPT in higher education, Seb Dianati and Suman Laudari share 25 prompts for the AI tool to support research

Seb Dianati, Suman Laudari

Charles Darwin University

Artificial intelligence represented by a digital image of a human head

Artificial intelligence and academic integrity: striking a balance

A look at how universities can encourage the ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence tools to support learning while guarding against misconduct

Georgina Chami

The University of the West Indies