#106 AI in Higher Ed – Global Perspective & Collaborative Solutions

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In this episode of WISE On Air, we dive into an unprecedented global research initiative exploring artificial intelligence’s impact on higher education.


Through conversations with research leads from six institutions across five continents, we uncover how different regions are approaching AI integration in universities and preparing students for an AI-powered future.


Our guests share insights on various critical aspects of AI in higher education, from curriculum integration and faculty development to ethical considerations and workforce preparation. From the halls of an Ivy League institution in the United States to a pioneering university in Kazakhstan, from Spain to India, and beyond – each perspective adds a unique dimension to our understanding of this transformative moment in education.


As part of WISE’s latest research initiative, these institutions are collaborating to produce one of the most comprehensive global studies on AI in higher education. The findings, set to be presented at the WISE 12 Summit in Fall 2025, promise to provide actionable insights for education leaders worldwide.


Join us for this enlightening discussion that bridges cultural contexts and institutional approaches to one of education’s most pressing challenges: adapting higher education for the age of artificial intelligence.


Learn more about the WISE & IIE Global Research Consortium: www.wise-qatar.org/wise-works/wise-research/


Nazarbayev University: nu.edu.kz/

Universidad de los Andes: www.uniandes.edu.co/

BITS Pilani: www.bits-pilani.ac.in/

Ashesi University: ashesi.edu.gh/

Universidad Camilo José Cela: www.ucjc.edu/

University of Pennsylvania: www.upenn.edu/


Subscribe to WISE On Air: pod.link/wiseonair


Thank you to our participating guest speakers:

– Natalia Lara – Universidad Camilo José Cela, Spain

– Joseph Kwame Adjei – Ashesi University, Ghana

– Jagat Sesh Challa – BITS Pilani, India

– Elaine Sharplin – Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan

– Peter Eckel – University of Pennsylvania, United States

– Mirka Martel – International Institute of Education


00:00 Introduction to the WISE and IIE Global Research Consortium

00:36 Overview of the Research Initiative

01:44 Exploring AI Integration in Higher Education

02:35 Institutional Approaches to AI

04:34 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption

05:37 Global Perspectives on AI in Education

23:15 Ethical Considerations and Risks of AI

30:41 Focus Areas of the Research Consortium

42:51 Conclusion and Future Outlook