Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How will artificial intelligence transform universities, teaching, research, assessment, and the future workforce? In this thought-provoking keynote, Professor Liz Bacon, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University, explores how higher education must evolve as AI shifts from being a supportive tool to becoming an autonomous collaborator across every profession.
Delivered at the 14th Computing Conference 2026, this keynote examines the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities universities face in preparing graduates for an AI-driven world. Professor Bacon discusses why institutions must rethink curriculum design, student assessment, digital capability, ethical literacy, and lifelong learning to remain relevant in an era of rapid technological change.
Key topics covered in this keynote
• The evolution of AI from assistive tools to autonomous AI agents
• How AI is transforming higher education, research, and university operations
• Responsible AI, governance, ethics, trust, and security
• AI-generated misinformation, hallucinations, and emerging cybersecurity risks
• The future of teaching, learning, and personalized education
• Why traditional assessment methods need to change in the age of generative AI
• The impact of AI on students' critical thinking and cognitive development
• Human-AI collaboration in the workplace and future careers
• The skills graduates will need, including adaptability, creativity, resilience, entrepreneurial thinking, and ethical reasoning
• Preparing universities for continuous technological change while preserving deep human learning
Professor Bacon argues that universities must move beyond simply embracing AI tools and instead redesign education around developing human judgment, critical thinking, responsible AI use, and the uniquely human capabilities that will remain essential in an intelligent future.
About the Speaker
Professor Liz Bacon FRSE, CEng, CSci, CITP, FBCS, FIScT is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University and a Professor of Computer Science with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a National Teaching Fellow, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Professor Bacon is a former President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, former President of EQANIE, former Trustee and Director of Bletchley Park Trust, and former Chair of the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC). Recognized as one of the UK's most influential women in technology, she is an internationally respected speaker on Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, higher education, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, diversity in STEM, and innovation.
About the Conference
This keynote was presented at the 14th Computing Conference 2026, an international conference that brings together researchers, academics, industry experts, and technology professionals to discuss the latest advances in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, and emerging digital technologies.
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#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #HigherEducation #GenerativeAI #ResponsibleAI #FutureOfEducation #MachineLearning #EducationTechnology #DigitalTransformation #AIInEducation #CriticalThinking #FutureWorkforce #University #ProfessorLizBacon #ComputingConference2026 #AcademicResearch #STEM #Innovation #EdTech #artificialgeneralintelligence
How will artificial intelligence transform universities, teaching, research, assessment, and the future workforce? In this thought-provoking keynote, Professor Liz Bacon, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University, explores how higher education must evolve as AI shifts from being a supportive tool to becoming an autonomous collaborator across every profession.
Delivered at the 14th Computing Conference 2026, this keynote examines the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities universities face in preparing graduates for an AI-driven world. Professor Bacon discusses why institutions must rethink curriculum design, student assessment, digital capability, ethical literacy, and lifelong learning to remain relevant in an era of rapid technological change.
Key topics covered in this keynote
• The evolution of AI from assistive tools to autonomous AI agents
• How AI is transforming higher education, research, and university operations
• Responsible AI, governance, ethics, trust, and security
• AI-generated misinformation, hallucinations, and emerging cybersecurity risks
• The future of teaching, learning, and personalized education
• Why traditional assessment methods need to change in the age of generative AI
• The impact of AI on students' critical thinking and cognitive development
• Human-AI collaboration in the workplace and future careers
• The skills graduates will need, including adaptability, creativity, resilience, entrepreneurial thinking, and ethical reasoning
• Preparing universities for continuous technological change while preserving deep human learning
Professor Bacon argues that universities must move beyond simply embracing AI tools and instead redesign education around developing human judgment, critical thinking, responsible AI use, and the uniquely human capabilities that will remain essential in an intelligent future.
About the Speaker
Professor Liz Bacon FRSE, CEng, CSci, CITP, FBCS, FIScT is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University and a Professor of Computer Science with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a National Teaching Fellow, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Professor Bacon is a former President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, former President of EQANIE, former Trustee and Director of Bletchley Park Trust, and former Chair of the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC). Recognized as one of the UK's most influential women in technology, she is an internationally respected speaker on Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, higher education, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, diversity in STEM, and innovation.
About the Conference
This keynote was presented at the 14th Computing Conference 2026, an international conference that brings together researchers, academics, industry experts, and technology professionals to discuss the latest advances in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, and emerging digital technologies.
If you enjoyed this keynote, don't forget to:
👍 Like the video
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments
📢 Subscribe for more keynote talks, expert interviews, and conference presentations from leading researchers and innovators around the world.
#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #HigherEducation #GenerativeAI #ResponsibleAI #FutureOfEducation #MachineLearning #EducationTechnology #DigitalTransformation #AIInEducation #CriticalThinking #FutureWorkforce #University #ProfessorLizBacon #ComputingConference2026 #AcademicResearch #STEM #Innovation #EdTech #artificialgeneralintelligence
