Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how students learn and how institutions operate. As the technology gains ground across higher education, universities need to embrace its potential – yet many educators are still unsure about its impact.
At a recent LSE conference, Ravi Pendse, VP for Information Technology at the University of Michigan, highlighted the importance of AI literacy, saying that no student should graduate today without at least one core course in AI or substantial exposure to AI tools. For research-led institutions, like those in the Russell Group, ensuring students are equipped with AI literacy has become necessary for both academic success and future career readiness.
With the UK Government recognising AI as the “defining opportunity” of our generation and committing £4 million to make it more trustworthy for teachers, the time to act is now. However, ethical considerations must be at the forefront of its adoption and universities need to consider how to integrate AI responsibly while maximising its potential.
In such a competitive global market, AI literacy could become a powerful differentiator to help universities stand out and meet the changing needs of students and employers alike.
Should universities embrace AI?
AI in education is gaining momentum – but it hasn’t always been positive. Educators have expressed understandable concerns over cheating following reports of students relying on AI-tools to generate and complete their work. These incidents bring AI, and its role in education, into question and show why careful, thoughtful adoption is so important.
Still, higher education providers have a responsibility to prepare students for life after graduation. AI isn’t going away. Graduates will need to understand and use it in both their careers and personal lives. They need AI literacy to be fully prepared – and they know it. Seventy percent think basic training in generative AI should be part of their course, yet more than half (55%) say their degrees didn’t prepare them to use AI in the workplace.
Building AI literacy across campus
The ability to engage with AI critically and confidently is becoming a core skill – not just for students, but for everyone working in education. As the technology becomes more embedded, higher education institutions have a role to play in developing AI literacy across their communities.
For students, this means understanding how AI tools work, what their limitations are and how to use them ethically. That includes knowing when to use AI, when not to, and how to question outputs in a meaningful way. Embedding these skills across disciplines can help ensure graduates are not just AI-capable, but AI-aware.
For academic and professional staff, AI literacy involves knowing what’s available, what’s coming next, and how these tools can be adapted to support different types of learning and teaching. Building that confidence takes time, but it’s time worth investing.
The benefits of AI for students and educators
Beyond employability, ignoring AI in higher education could mean missing a major opportunity. Used well, AI can enrich the learning experience in powerful ways. It has huge potential to deliver more dynamic, engaging content – from simulations and interactive quizzes to gamified modules.
It can also help personalise learning through tailored materials that reflect individual needs and learning styles. This kind of personalisation increases engagement, improves outcomes and helps students get the most from their studies.
AI can be a real asset for educators too, easing the pressure of an already demanding role. It can spark ideas, support planning and lighten the load when it comes to marking or giving feedback. For those teaching large or diverse groups, AI can help adapt materials – whether through accessibility features like auto-captioning or by generating personalised content.
It also brings new insights. AI-powered analytics make it easier to spot students who may need extra support, and routine questions can be handled by chatbots. All of this frees up educators to focus on what really matters – quality time with students and personalised support in the classroom.
Ethical considerations
Despite the benefits, AI tools must be adopted responsibly – to enhance education while protecting academic integrity. In 2023, the Russell Group universities published a shared framework for responsible use of generative AI. These include a series of commitments like supporting AI literacy among staff and students, using tools ethically, upholding academic integrity and promoting best practice.
Plagiarism is one concern – no university wants students submitting AI-generated content – but it’s not the only one. Institutions must also consider privacy, data protection and governance to keep AI use grounded in responsible principles. That means understanding how tools are trained and what data they rely on. Bias can be built into both the datasets and the algorithms themselves. Universities must think carefully before using staff, student or applicant data in AI systems.
Those exploring AI should train staff to recognise bias, protect privacy and ensure transparency. If they use a virtual learning environment or platform, they should ask suppliers about their AI principles. Providers should be able to clearly explain their approach.
An AI-powered future
As AI continues to evolve, universities that lead in AI adoption won’t necessarily be those that rush to implement the latest tools. Instead, the most successful institutions will be those that ask the right questions, pilot carefully and build trust through transparency and thoughtful implementation.
Russell Group universities are already at the forefront of these discussions, particularly when it comes to AI in research, teaching and operations. By bringing the same level of focus and reflection to implementation, they can help shape a future for AI in education that’s thoughtful, inclusive and grounded in academic purpose.
AI is the latest in a long line of education technologies – presenting a balance of innovation and caution. With careful thought and responsible adoption, universities can unlock the full potential of AI and help students graduate with the skills they need for future success.
