Tackling AI and Innovation in Higher Education at EUTOPIA Week in Warwick

Senior leaders from the EUTOPIA University Alliance gathered on 1 July to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education—and how universities can work together to make the most of it.

The session, part of EUTOPIA Week 2025 at the University of Warwick, focused on how universities can use AI to improve teaching, research, and global collaboration. Speakers from across the alliance shared concrete examples and lessons learned, with insights led by AI industry expert and Chairman of the Global Foundation John Higgins CBE.

Warwick’s Chief Information & Transformation Officer, Raja-Saleem Javaid, opened the session with a keynote on embedding AI across the university—from optimising operations to improving the student and staff experience.

“At the University of Warwick, we’re taking a strategic and responsible approach to AI, embedding it to personalise education, accelerate research, optimise operations, and unlock new forms of innovation.

AI offers extraordinary potential for higher education, but no institution can navigate this transformation alone. That’s why partnerships like EUTOPIA are so important, enabling us to collaborate across borders, share ideas, and shape an AI-powered future that reflects our shared values and ambition.”

 

Tim Hart, Director of Warwick Innovations, followed with examples of university-based AI research being commercialised to deliver real-world impact. He also highlighted partnerships with businesses at the Warwick Innovation District 

The panel discussion, Innovation, Universities and AI, led by John Higgins, brought together Professor Pieter Ballon (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Francesco Maria Colacino (University of Warwick), Professor Brian MacCraith (Arizona State University), and Professor Isabel Rocha (NOVA University Lisbon). Higgins stated:
 

“In making progress with AI and higher education, the value of sharing best practice is clear. That was a core theme of our discussions, it was immediately apparent from the interactions and questions from all the contributors.

Collaboration is particularly important in this rapidly evolving field of AI and this once again demonstrated the value of the EUTOPIA alliance,” 

 

Panellists showcased practical AI use cases, from training tools for medical students to virtual assistants for student services and data analysis for research. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and international partnerships to ensure AI is developed and applied responsibly.

EUTOPIA's goal is to deepen collaboration, promote interdisciplinary exchange, and expand opportunities for students and academics to connect across borders. Central to this effort is the strategic use of AI, which is helping to redefine how universities operate and prepare for the future of higher education.

For more information on the session, click here.