Morning, Thursday, 26th March 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for the use and regulation of AI in higher education, in light of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper.
Discussion will consider the Office for Students’ regulatory approach to AI in higher education, including the vision for supporting innovation while safeguarding quality, equity, and transparency. The agenda will consider the potential impact of the outcomes-focused framework and priorities for effective governance of AI use across teaching, assessment, and research. The role of the OfS’s guidance in aligning institutional strategies with national priorities while supporting innovation and managing risk will also be discussed.
Planned sessions will examine how universities are currently using AI across curriculum design, teaching, research, and institutional governance, including the implementation of ethical frameworks for procurement and deployment. We expect discussion on how AI is embedded into assessment and feedback, and how institutions approach managing innovation responsibly, alongside considerations for data privacy, and wider sustainability priorities.
The agenda will include a focus on the impact of AI on higher education staff, considering potential efficiency gains and easing workload, alongside concerns about staff replacement. Discussion will look at how staff capability and confidence can be strengthened and best practice for training and professional development, as well as assessing evolving roles and responsibilities, and provision of support for effective guidance to students. Opportunities for AI to enable new collaborative teaching practices and help redesign administrative workflows will be assessed, alongside priorities for maintaining trust in academic outcomes and institutional reputations.
Discussion will also examine student use of AI, drawing on recent survey evidence highlighting widespread use in study and assessment. Attendees will consider approaches to maintaining academic integrity and critical thinking, embedding AI literacy and digital skills, and supporting responsible use across programmes. Delegates will also discuss inclusion and access, including for disadvantaged students and those with SEND, and how staff can guide all students effectively.
Further sessions will assess progression and talent pipelines, examining how pathways from undergraduate to postgraduate and short-course provision can support a diverse, high-skill AI workforce aligned with national and regional priorities. Discussion will look at co-design with employers, alignment with priority sectors, and how universities can integrate industry-led insights into curriculum design, training, and partnerships.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- policy priorities: next steps signalled in the AI Opportunities Action Plan - role of universities in developing AI capability - alignment with regional, national, and wider skills policy
- regulation and oversight: OfS outcomes-focused approach - innovation alongside safeguarding quality, equity, and transparency - guidance on governance and risk management for AI adoption
- academic integrity: AI integration into assessment and feedback - preventing plagiarism or misconduct - embedding AI literacy - staff training - maintaining fairness and trust in outcomes
- sector programmes and initiatives: insights from Jisc and Advance HE pilots - impact of scholarships and sector initiatives - course design, graduate employability, and diversity in AI programmes
- students and AI: evidence on current trends and practices - embedding AI literacy and digital skills - supporting responsible and ethical use - critical thinking and safeguarding academic integrity
- institutional impact: staff training in AI and digital literacy - workload management and efficiency savings - risks of staff replacement - responsible AI across teaching, research, and administration
- equity of access: technology gaps in rural and low-income settings - support for disadvantaged and SEND learners - achieving inclusive access to AI-enhanced learning
- sustainability and infrastructure: energy demand of AI computing - alignment with carbon reduction targets - funding for infrastructure upgrades - sustainable and scalable adoption
- progression and talent pipelines: pathways from undergraduate to postgraduate and short courses - co-design with employers - apprenticeships and modular provision - alignment with priority sectors - insights from Skills England AI skills for the UK workforce
