Showcasing BUas’ Leadership in AI at the 2nd Annual Teaching and Learning with AI Conference

This conference provided BUas with an opportunity to showcase its AI initiatives and learn from international peers. With AI rapidly transforming the educational landscape, BUas stands out for its comprehensive approach to embedding AI in its teaching, operations, and research.
 

Day 1: Keynotes on AI’s Transformative Potential

The conference opened with a series of thought-provoking keynote speeches that positioned AI as a transformative force in education. These presentations demonstrated various approaches to embedding AI into curricula and operational structures, illustrating its capacity to deliver personalised, efficient, and engaging learning experiences. The sessions provided a broad overview of the opportunities and challenges institutions face as they adopt AI technologies.
 

Day 2: Presenting BUas’s AI Strategy

On the second day, Ines Springael, Theme AI Programme Manager at BUas, presented the university's comprehensive AI integration strategy. This presentation detailed how AI has been strategically implemented across education, research, and administrative processes to create a cohesive and innovative ecosystem.

The strategy resonated strongly with attendees, sparking discussions on shared challenges such as data management, scaling innovations, and addressing ethical considerations. These exchanges highlighted a shared commitment to balancing technological progress with human-centred educational values.

Additionally, Thomas Buijtenweg, Lecturer and Member of the AI Pioneer team at BUas, led a workshop exploring the practical applications of AI tools, with a focus on image generation and creative uses.Participants engaged in interactive demonstrations that showcased how AI could enhance project-based learning and foster creativity within academic programmes. The workshop inspired attendees to consider how these tools could be integrated into their own institutions.

Day 3: Focusing on Professional Development

The final day emphasised the importance of professional development in AI integration. Tanja Beks, Educationalist at BUas, led a session outlining BUas’s AI training programmes for staff, which aim to equip educators and administrative teams with the skills required to navigate AI’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Feedback from this session underscored the necessity for continuous professional development within higher education. Institutions must ensure that staff at all levels are well-prepared to adapt to technological advances and integrate AI effectively into their roles.
 

Key Themes and Takeaways

The conference revealed several key themes that provide a roadmap for the future of AI in education:

• Collaboration as a Driver of Progress: Effective integration of AI requires collaboration both within and between institutions. Sharing best practices and learning from others' experiences helps build a robust framework for implementing AI technologies.
• AI as a Catalyst for Innovation: From creating personalised learning pathways to reimagining assessment methods, AI offers transformative opportunities that must be actively pursued by institutions.
• Continuous Professional Development: Providing tailored AI training for educators and administrative staff is vital for long-term success. Programmes designed to build AI literacy and confidence will enable staff to adapt and innovate in response to technological shifts.
• Ethical Considerations: The ethical challenges of AI, including issues of data privacy, bias, and equitable access, remain a critical focus. Institutions must integrate ethical considerations into their AI strategies to ensure that innovation is both responsible and inclusive.
   

Visit the conference website