AI in higher education is going to get worse before it gets better

This internal blog post at Manchester is largely about our new AI in Teaching and Learning policy but I wanted to share this section which is more broadly true:

AI in assessment is a classic example of a wicked problem. There are only better or worse options, involving trade offs. If we imagine that a classification system is going to resolve the problem so that we can return to the status quo ex ante, we are failing to look at the sheer scale of the technological challenges which are still emerging. From coding agents through to the rapid growth of wearable computing, from AI companions through to AI labs ‘enshittifying’ their models, the emerging challenges are even more consequential than the ones we’ve faced since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022. If we can’t solve these problems, we can at least make sure we are moving in the right direction. Initiating a deeper conversation about what AI means for teaching and learning is a necessary condition for that forward movement. Nearly two years ago The Russell Group principles called for “Engagement and dialogue between academic staff and students” in order to “establish a shared understanding of the appropriate use of generative AI tools”. It was essential that “this dialogue is regular and ongoing will be vital given the pace at which generative AI is evolving”.

Eine Beobachtung nach zwei Tagen #MediaAndLearning:

Die Frage scheint sich zu verschieben.

Nicht mehr:

"Welche Plattform sollten wir einsetzen?"

Sondern:

"Wie betreiben und entwickeln wir sie langfristig weiter?"

Open Source ist dabei nicht nur Software, sondern auch Zusammenarbeit und Nachhaltigkeit.

—

The question is shifting:

Not:
"Which platform should we choose?"

But:
"How do we sustain it long-term?"

#OpenSource #HigherEducation #DigitalSovereignty

Ein spannendes Thema heute auf der #MediaAndLearning:

"European sovereignty – How to find alternatives to USA tech"

Digitale Souveränität bedeutet vor allem eines: Wahlfreiheit.

Für Hochschulen heißt das, selbst entscheiden zu können, welche Werkzeuge sie einsetzen und wie sie ihre digitale Infrastruktur gestalten.

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An interesting topic at #MediaAndLearning:

Digital sovereignty means having meaningful choices.

#OpenSource #DigitalSovereignty #HigherEducation

Uni students tackle 'character-building' remote living through placements
By Alice Angeloni

University student Tarhnee says her survival kit for a nursing prac placement was food, a swag, a chair and a little table for her laptop.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-18/uni-students-camping-on-mandatory-placement/106799910

#HigherEducation #CostofLiving #AliceAngeloni

Celebrating Academic Excellence: Nine Lecturers at Hawassa University Promoted to Full Professor

https://mylibrarianship.wordpress.com/2026/06/17/celebrating-academic-excellence-nine-lecturers-at-hawassa-university-promoted-to-full-professor/

Holistic education aims to support intellectual, physical, emotional, ethical, and social development. This infographic highlights some of the key elements that contribute to a balanced learning experience in the modern world, including academic learning, well-being, research, traditional knowledge, and social responsibility.

Learn more about holistic education and academic programs at https://www.universityofpatanjali.com/

#HolisticEducation #HigherEducation #Education #StudentDevelopment #Learning

Digitale Souveränität wird oft als strategisches Thema diskutiert.

Auf der #MediaAndLearning zeigt sich heute vor allem die praktische Seite:

Wer betreibt die Systeme?
Wer entscheidet über Weiterentwicklungen?
Wer behält langfristig die Kontrolle?

Viele spannende Gespräche über Open Source und digitale Infrastruktur für Hochschulen.

#OpenSource #DigitalSovereignty #HigherEducation

Barriers to realising the right to education: displaced Ukrainian university students under temporary protection in the EU

https://doi.org/10.1080/25355406.2026.2690211
#RightToEducation #HigherEducation #Ukraine #HumanRights #RefugeeEducation #Research