"GenAI in Higher Education: New Perspectives for Research and Teaching" conference

The conference “GenAI in Higher Education: New Perspectives for Research and Teaching”, organized by DELab UW on May 29–30, 2025 at the Faculty of Modern Languages, University of Warsaw, was an interdisciplinary event devoted to the role of generative artificial intelligence in higher education.

Organization and partners

The conference was organized by DELab UW, acting on behalf of the Rector of the University of Warsaw, Prof. Alojzy Nowak. The event took place as part of the II.3.6 “Building an influential digital alliance” activity of the Excellence Initiative – Research University (IDUB) program. The conference partner was the Ministry of Science and Higher Education

The conference was attended by scientists and experts from various academic centers, including:

• Prof. Neil Selwyn from Monash University, a recognized authority on the responsible use of digital technologies in education, who gave the inaugural lecture entitled “GenAI in Higher Education – some things we need to talk about”.

• Prof. Peter Kahn from the University of Manchester, specialising in higher education pedagogy.

The conference participants also included:

• representatives of the authorities of the University of Warsaw – UW Vice-Rector for Research Prof. Zygmunt Lalak, UW Vice-Rector for Development Prof. Ewa Krogulec, former UW Vice-Rector for Development Prof. Anna Giza Poleszczuk, 

• Ministry of Science and Higher Education – Undersecretary of State Prof. Andrzej Szeptycki, Plenipotentiary of the Minister for Coherence of Scientific Policy Dr. Eng. Zuzanna Hazubska and Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation and Development Izabela Najda-Jędrzejewska,

• Polish Accreditation Committee – Prof. Janusz Uriasz and Dr. Elżbieta Jaskulska and

• representatives of the academic community of the University of Warsaw, including Dr. Anna Baczko-Dombi from the Faculty of Sociology of the University of Warsaw. 

Conference Structure

The conference consisted of two main thematic tracks:

1. Science track (international) – included presentations of the latest research and projects on the use of generative AI in education and science.

2. Path for the UW community – addressed to the University of Warsaw community, focused on the future of the university, higher education development strategies and practical challenges related to the implementation of AI technologies at the University of Warsaw.

The conference was preceded by a student hearing, during which students presented their demands regarding the integration of AI in education, which were then discussed in panel discussions with the participation of university authorities and representatives of the ministry.

Topics and conclusions

Presentations and discussions during the conference covered a variety of aspects related to generative AI in higher education, including:

• The impact of AI on teaching processes – analysis of the benefits and challenges of integrating AI in teaching.

• AI in scientific research – considerations on the methodological transformation and ethical implications of using AI in research.

• Ethical and social aspects of AI – discussions on responsibility, transparency and equality in access to technology.

• Students' perspective – analysis of students’ expectations and concerns related to the integration of AI in the academic environment.

The common conclusion from the conference was the need for a conscious and critical approach to the implementation of AI in education, taking into account academic values, ethical standards and the active participation of all stakeholders in the transformation process.

The GenAI in Higher Education conference created a platform for open dialogue and collaboration between researchers, educators, students and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of jointly shaping the future of education in the era of AI.

More about the conference: 

The conference “GenAI in Higher Education: New Perspectives for Research and Teaching” proved to be an exceptional event that, on many levels, encouraged critical and multidimensional reflection on the role of generative AI in higher education. It attracted researchers and educators – often in one person – from different countries and fields, showing the richness of possible perspectives and the complexity of the ongoing debate around AI.

The presentations emphasized that generative AI is more than a prompting technique or an optimization tool. The focus was on the question of the value—educational, social, and even moral—that this technology brings to teaching and research practices. The conference participants were very open, eager to challenge the simplistic narratives and media clichés that often dominate discussions about AI.

One of the greatest strengths of the event was the diversity of perspectives – from enthusiasm for new opportunities to a measured skepticism about risks and challenges. The common denominator, however, was the need for an informed, attentive and flexible approach – one that takes into account both academic, social and ethical realities.

An important moment of the conference was listening to the voice of students, who presented their own expectations regarding education in the AI ​​era. Their demands became an impulse for an honest conversation with representatives of universities and the Ministry of Science. The conclusions were not always comfortable - but they showed with full force where universities fail in the face of technological changes.

The event created a truly interdisciplinary and intergenerational space for the exchange of ideas – conducive to dialogue and cooperation beyond traditional divisions. Openness and willingness to share experience meant that, in addition to the presentation of research and reflection, there was also space for building lasting relationships – both professional and personal.

The future of higher education in the era of generative AI has not yet been decided. It is up to our collective reflection, courage in asking difficult questions and willingness to seek new – sometimes non-obvious – directions that depends on which path we choose.

Four main themes emerged in the papers and discussions:

1. AI in teaching processes
   Presentations in this area focused on practical applications of AI in teaching. They discussed, among others, the possibilities of automating some tasks, personalizing content and monitoring student progress. At the same time, it was emphasized that technology should support, not replace, the role of the teacher.

2. The Impact of AI on Scientific Research
   The papers in this block focused on the changes that generative AI is introducing to research methodology. They highlighted the potential to accelerate data analysis and exploration, but also new ethical dilemmas, the risk of error reproduction, and the need for a critical approach to generated content.

3. Social and ethical aspects of AI
   This topic generated particularly lively discussions. Speakers considered the moral implications of introducing AI into education, emphasizing the need for accountability, transparency of model operation, and equal access to technology.

4. Student Voice in the Context of AI
   A separate block of presentations was devoted to the experiences and expectations of students. Their reflections – regarding both the opportunities and threats related to the use of AI – were the starting point for discussions about shared responsibility and the need to include students in decision-making processes regarding the future of education.

Conclusions from the presentations and discussions:

•  AI can really enrich education, but only if it is implemented in a conscious, reflective manner and adapted to the academic context.

• Balance between technological innovation and academic values – such as critical thinking, intellectual autonomy and personal development – ​​remain a condition for lasting quality education.

• Ethical implications and the risk of deepening inequality require open debate and consideration of different perspectives – not only technological, but also social and cultural.

• Involving students in conversations about the shape of AI-based education It is crucial to build an academic environment that is not only modern, but also inclusive and adaptable.