Keynote

Mark Carrigan, the University of Manchester and J.J. Sylvia, Fitchburg State University.

For 2025, the Policy Futures International Webinar Series will serve as a prelude to the release of the World Yearbook of Education 2026: The Changing Geopolitics of Higher Education and Research University futures reimagined . Edited by: Katja Brøgger, Hannah Moscovitz, Susan Robertson, and Jenny Lee. The 2025 keynotes have contributed to this volume which is scheduled for publication in late 2025/early 2026.

Abstract

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education. While GAI offers enhanced efficiency and novel approaches to knowledge creation, it also introduces complex questions about authorship, copyright, and academic integrity. The uneven access to premium GAI platforms creates concerning disparities that universities must address. Moving beyond traditional digital literacy, institutions need to cultivate platform literacy - enabling their communities to critically engage with and evaluate GAI's expanding capabilities. This analysis reveals GAI as more than a technological advancement; it represents a sociotechnical shift demanding thoughtful institutional adaptation. A measured yet forward-thinking approach to GAI integration can foster responsible adoption while transforming pedagogical practice.