Belfast · Queen's University Belfast
Hosted by Queen's University Belfast
Explore how universities can adopt AI responsibly and at scale at Queen’s University Belfast on 19–20 October 2026, with sessions on tools, research and strategy. Building an AI-ready institution Hosted by Queen’s University Belfast in Belfast, this two-day conference examines what universities need to become genuinely AI ready,not simply experimenting with new technology, but understanding where it creates value, how it can be implemented across an institution, and where its risks and limitations demand caution. Universities occupy a distinctive position in the AI landscape. They develop and research AI systems, train people to build and use them, assess students and researchers on the quality of their own thinking, and operate complex organisations whose workflows may themselves be transformed by automation. The conference brings these overlapping responsibilities into one conversation, combining practical questions about tools and systems with wider strategic and ethical reflection. The programme is organised around four sessions: - AI in Modern Higher Education , exploring AI’s evolving place across university life - What AI Tools Really Offer , looking beyond the hype to capabilities, limitations and practical value - AI-Powered Research , considering how AI is changing research activity - AI for Scholarly Productivity , examining its role in academic and knowledge work Why attend? The event responds to a clear implementation gap. While organisational use of AI and experimentation with AI agents are widespread, the conference notes that many institutions have not yet scaled their adoption. Attendees will consider the education, training, policies and institutional strategies required to move from isolated trials towards informed, responsible implementation. This will be particularly relevant to university leaders, academics, researchers and professional-services staff involved in digital transformation, research practice, teaching, governance or organisational workflows. It should also interest anyone responsible for shaping institutional approaches to AI use, including questions of academic evaluation and ethical policy.… Register for this event





