Accessibility Tools
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.
The European Commission’s Industrial Strategy for Europe and the European Digital Strategy launched in the spring of 2020 offer an opportunity for a broad and holistic approach to fundamental challe ...
The digital transformation of our societies is moving ahead, changing the way that we work and interact. It is also changing learning environments and the need for digital skills. ...
In this reaction to the European Commission’s Communication on “Artificial Intelligence for Europe”, EUA has underlined how universities can contribute to develop AI for th ...
On 28 March, the European University Association’s new Task and Finish Group on Artificial Intelligence held its first meeting in Brussels. ...
Too often, European regulations and directives have been proposed with far-reaching consequences for universities, research centres and the people who work there, but with little or no consideration o ...
OECD has issued a publication on artificial intelligence (AI) in science. ...
EUA and other associations representing European universities, research performing organisations, research funding organisations, research libraries, and repositories in Europe have released a joint s ...
The rapid proliferation of AI tools is just one part of an ongoing era of global digital transformation. What actions can we take to create the digital future we want to see? ...
Can universities move beyond present discussions of AI’s disruptive impact on higher education and embrace this (forced) opportunity to rethink our role in the society of the future? For Manfred Kra ...
The influence of the digital transition is being felt across large swathes of society. This includes universities in their research, education and innovation missions, but also in their general organi ...
Innovation is a key strategic priority for universities. It draws on their research and education missions as well as their role as an honest broker at the nexus of different sectors and communities. ...
Open Science is a shared responsibility, and a successful transition will require a concerted effort from key stakeholders. EUA takes a comprehensive view of the transition to Open Science and works t ...
