Michael Webb
Michael Webb leads Jisc’s AI team, which supports the responsible and effective adoption of artificial intelligence across the tertiary education sectors. Jisc is the UK's digital, data, and technology agency with a focus on tertiary education, research, and innovation. Michael has authored several recent AI reports and guides, including Jisc’s AI in Tertiary Education and The Generative AI Primer. The team at Jisc provides advice and guidance, hosts community events, and runs a variety of AI pilot programs. Beyond artificial intelligence, Michael has been involved in projects surrounding the internet of things, virtual reality, and learning analytics. Before joining Jisc, he worked in the higher education sector, leading IT and learning technology services and teams.
Title of talk
From Disruption to Direction: Navigating Generative AI in Higher Education
The pace of AI developments shows no signs of slowing. Generative AI has already brought rapid and far-reaching change to education — challenging assumptions, opening up new possibilities, and raising urgent questions about the curriculum and the skills our students need. In this talk, I’ll reflect on how the sector is responding, drawing on insights from across UK colleges and universities.
As we move beyond the initial excitement and anxiety, what should we be focusing on? What kind of future do we want to shape with these tools — and how do we ensure it reflects the values of education, not just the momentum of technology?
Dr Christine O’Dea
Dr Christina O’Dea is a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Services Management & Organisation at King’s Business School, King's College London. Her research focuses on AI in education (AIEd), with a particular focus on Generative AI and AI literacy; digital transformation and digital education. Christine has published extensively in high-impact journals, such as the British Journal of Educational Technology, Studies in Higher Education, and Qualitative Research in Education. She is Co-Editor-in-Chief of AI in Education (an Emerald Open Access Journal). Her latest book, titled Effective Practices in AI Literacy Education is now available for pre-order. Currently Christine is also leading (as the PI) a QAA funded collaborative enhancement project (2024-25). The title of the project is 'supporting the ethical and equitable use of Generative AI for formative and summative assessment: a transnational perspective'.
Title of talk
Effective Practices in AI Literacy Education - Case Studies and Reflections
This is the title of Christine's new book and will focus on how AI (is) can be used in teaching and how it can be incorporated into different modules/curriculums.
