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Universities are increasingly aware of the potential of integrating artificial intelligence-powered solutions across institutional functions, as well as the multitude of questions this raises about the very nature of learning and discovery.
Within the European higher education and research sectors – and indeed, across society – interest in artificial intelligence continues to grow.
Exploration of AI technologies and their application in universities is not a new phenomenon. Interest in AI, as a tool in data-driven governance and learning analytics, has been on an upward curve since the mid-2010s. However, as the rate of advancement has accelerated, the debate around the responsible use and development of AI has become increasingly nuanced. Moreover, the emergence of a new generation of generative AI tools in 2022 brought renewed urgency to questions around the (in)compatibility of these technologies with university values.
To enable the exchange of practices and exploration of use cases among EUA members, the Association has launched a work programme focused on universities’ experiences and approaches in addressing artificial intelligence. Activities carried out in 2024 and into 2025 will address practical and ethical questions around the integration of AI technologies in universities, as well as providing orientation on AI-related trends in higher education and research.
Building on EUA’s previous work on digital transformation, its AI work programme, guided by a dedicated task-and-finish group, will address how AI can benefit university management, research and education, while also addressing its ethical dimensions and social impact.
The preservation of human control and university values in the rollout of AI technologies is another key concern. Therefore, EUA will investigate the impact of European regulation in the digital space and consider how this might facilitate (or constrain) universities in promoting a rights-based approach to AI innovation.
By tackling issues related to privacy, digital sovereignty, and data availability and quality, EUA strives to support universities in navigating legal frameworks and in developing institutional policies on the use of AI. In parallel, the Association’s activities on AI will emphasise the importance of culture and community in building institutions’ capacity to manage change.
Furthermore, as the debate around the benefits versus risks of AI moves up the political agenda, EUA will continue to highlight the role of universities in fostering ethical innovation for the benefit of society, culture and the economy.
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