In an effort to address the impact of Artificial Intelligence on higher education’s future, a new global council has been set up for sharing experiences, exploring new technologies and driving “positive change” in the world of education and work.
The Digital Education Council has been established by SuperCharger Ventures, and is supported by numerous high-profile universities.
Founding members include the likes of Bocconi University, Singapore Management University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Melbourne Business School and Tecnologico de Monterrey, among others.
The council’s introduction comes amid a dramatic increase in AI usage with research suggesting that more than one in every two students uses the tool in their learning journey.
Moreover, from 2022 to 2023, the overall percentage of new edtech companies globally which made AI a key part of their offering jumped from 10% to 37%, according to a release shared by the Digital Education Council.
“It’s the blind spots that often cause the most change,” said Danny Bielik, president of the Digital Education Council.
“Where aren’t we looking? What structures can help meet emerging challenges? What is best-practice and what are people testing in other parts of the world?
“Already, governments are creating regulations and legislation for the use of AI in education. They don’t want to be caught out like they were for social media,” added Bielik.
The Digital Education Council will provide monthly reports and executive briefings to members with very practical and usable outcomes.
“Our focus on practicality is what universities have long commended us for”
“Our focus on practicality is what universities have long commended us for. Now we are able to scale our deep analysis and recommendations to a global audience and have a global impact,” said Alessandro Di Lullo, co-founder of SuperCharger Ventures and CEO of the Digital Education Council.
“AI and EdTech are long-term phenomena that require forward-looking approaches and governance. DEC is our response to help universities and corporates chart these new waters.”
Topics with immediate practical implications – such as AI frameworks, regulation, and their impact on academic integrity – have been some of the initial topics covered during initial executive briefings.
Furthermore, the DEC is establishing several thematic working groups on important topics around the future of education and work, including artificial intelligence, startups and innovation, skills and credentials, ESG & sustainability, and digital and online learning.
“More work is to come. We will also have our first in-person DEC conference in November and we are scaling up our ability to provide advisory services to universities and corporates in the applications of new technologies and frameworks,” added Di Lullo.
