New Zealand AI in Higher Education Symposium

Connecting New Zealand's universities to pioneer the future of AI-enhanced education.

Date:  Wednesday 4 September 2024
Time: 8.30am-5pm
Venue: Castle 2 Lecture Theatre, University of Otago

This symposium seeks to bring together New Zealand university educators, researchers and technologists to delve into the transformative power of AI in our educational landscape. It presents a unique opportunity for our higher education community to exchange knowledge, share practices and envision the future of AI-enhanced learning environments. It represents a pivotal opportunity for the higher education community to lead in the responsible and inventive integration of AI technologies. We invite participants to contribute their insights, share their experiences and collaborate on shaping a future in which AI not only supports but significantly enhances higher education.  Our hope is that we can generate tangible outcomes from this gathering - be it through actionable insights, forming collaborative projects or shaping policies that guide the ethical integration of AI in higher education. Join us at this event to contribute to shaping an adaptive, inclusive and technologically advanced educational future for New Zealand’s higher education sector. 

Conference Format: In-Person and Streamed

The New Zealand AI in Higher Education Symposium will be held in-person at Castle 2, University of Otago, Dunedin, enabling direct interaction, networking and a fully immersive experience. For those unable to attend physically, we are pleased to offer a live stream of the presentations. Please note that the streamed sessions will be limited to view-only access of the presentations, but will still provide a valuable opportunity to partake in the knowledge sharing of the symposium. 

Symposium Themes 

The symposium is structured around three critical themes, each focusing on a different aspect of artificial intelligence's role in higher education. These themes serve as a foundation for a comprehensive exploration of AI's current impact, underlying principles and its potential to redefine the higher education landscape. By delving into these areas, we aim to foster a platform for deep discussions among educators, researchers and technologists. Our goal is to collaboratively address the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by AI, thus contributing to the evolution of educational practices in New Zealand's higher education sector and setting a precedent for future developments worldwide. 

Practice 

The "Practice" theme delves into the practical applications of AI that are currently transforming teaching and learning environments. It welcomes participants to share experiences from the forefront of AI integration, and highlight innovative tools, successful case studies and effective strategies that have positively impacted educational outcomes. This theme focuses on the real-world application of AI in education, emphasising how educators are utilising technology to foster engaging, personalised and impactful learning experiences. 

Theory 

Under the "Theory" theme, we aim to unpack the foundational concepts and ethical considerations that underpin AI's role in education. This is a call for papers that explore the theoretical frameworks guiding AI integration, the research methodologies that underlie AI innovations and the policy implications that shape our approach to technology in learning. Discussions will focus on understanding the broader impacts of AI technologies on educational equity, access and quality. 

Future 

The "Future" theme is dedicated to speculative exploration and visionary thinking about what lies ahead for AI in education. It challenges participants to think beyond the current applications and to envision the next generation of AI technologies that will continue to transform educational practices. This theme encourages a forward-looking perspective on emerging technologies, policy evolution, and the long-term implications of AI on learning and teaching. It's an opportunity to dream big, forecast upcoming challenges and opportunities, and debate potential scenarios that AI might bring to the educational sector. 

Key dates 

Registration opens: 10 June 2024 

Submissions open: 10 June 2024 

Submissions close: 14 July 2024 

Author notification: 31 July 2024 

Symposium event: 4 September 2024