The Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Education at Queen Mary University of London is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into education. Launched in December 2024, the Centre aims to create a transformative learning environment where cutting-edge AI technologies are seamlessly integrated into teaching and learning, driving impactful outcomes for students, educators, and employers.
The Digital Education Studio interviewed Dr. Xue Zhou, Head of the Center, and Dr. Aisha Abuelmaatti, Deputy Head, to discuss the center's current work and future plans. They explained that four key priorities underpin the Centre’s collaborations with students, academics, and industry partners: staff and student skill development; AI policy and governance; employer engagement; and AI scholarship and research. Below we explore each of these priorities, and the associated collaborative work.
- Staff and students skill development
The Centre is enhancing staff AI literacy by incorporating UNESCO's AI Competency Framework into training programs like the PGCert in Academic Practice and developing differentiated CPD packages (bronze, silver, and gold). A new AI pedagogy guidance package is being created, offering a five-step module redesign process and case studies, including AI integration in FMD for student learning and research.
For students, the centre has introduced an AI Literacy Framework with four key dimensions: understanding, application, co-creation, and ethics, ensuring a well-rounded approach to AI learning. Efforts to map and showcase AI integration at module and course levels are underway, supported by collaborations with AI champions to develop subject-specific frameworks. Additionally, custom frameworks for disciplines like medicine and engineering are being designed to meet unique industry-specific AI skill requirements.
- AI policy and guidance
The Centre is working to create clear AI policies to help staff feel more confident using AI in their teaching and assessments. Right now, there’s only generic guidance, and issues like academic misconduct make some staff hesitant to integrate AI. To tackle this, the team is gathering existing guidelines from different schools and adapting them for specific subjects. They’re also introducing a "traffic light system," inspired by Mike Perkins’ work, to show how much AI can be used—ranging from no AI at all to fully exploring its tools. By adding this system to module and assessment briefs, they want to make it clear when, where, and how AI can be used in learning.
- Employer engagement
The Centre is building a hub to connect academia, students, and industry, creating partnerships to involve students from all backgrounds in solving real-world problems with AI. An advisory group, including members from Google DeepMind and Raspberry Pi, will guide and support projects focused on challenges like sustainability. Students from different fields, such as tech, finance, and law, will work together in teams to create AI solutions and build skills in teamwork and entrepreneurship. The Centre also plans to start a student society for AI and work with alumni to mentor and inspire students through their achievements.
- AI scholarship and research
With over 50 academic champions across various schools, the Centre is advancing AI scholarship through national and international collaborations. It plans to recruit external fellows to further its research impact, with partnerships already underway with institutions like the University of Oxford. These initiatives aim to refine AI practices and policies while fostering innovation in teaching and research.
How you can help
Dr. Xue and Dr. Aisha warmly invite all Queen Mary educators to become an Affiliate. Whether you’re looking to enhance your teaching, engage in interdisciplinary research, or co-create AI solutions with students, the Centre offers resources, guidance, and a vibrant community to support your journey.
Discover how you can contribute to shaping the future of AI in education at Queen Mary. Visit QMUL Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Education 's website. Join as an affiliate of QMUL Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Education by completing the registration form.