AITHE-2026: Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Higher Education Symposium Swansea University, School of Management Swansea, UK, July 1-3, 2026

Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Higher Education Symposium (AITHE) - two workshop streamsCall for Papers and Contributions

Redesigning Education for the AI Era: From Assessment to Innovation

Venue: School of Management, Bay Campus,Swansea University Bay Campus

Dates: July 1st–3rd, 2026

ABOUT the Symposium

Welcome to a unique three-day event that brings together two pioneering workshops and an immersive VR-AI experience:

• DAY 1 – AHEAD: Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Assessment and Design.
  The 1st Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Assessment Design, exploring how generative and agentic AI are reshaping Higher Education. Key themes include AI-driven assessment redesign, academic integrity, and authentic learning strategies.

• DAY 2 – NWISEd: Co-Creating New Ways of Information Systems Education.
  The 4th Workshop on Co-Creating New Ways of Information Systems Education, focusing on innovative, collaborative approaches to teaching Information Systems

• DAY 3 – The Innovative Lab Wales [ILW] and the Network for Artificial Intelligence, the Arts, the Digital Economy and Society [NAIADES] - The Jobs We Never Imagined in the Age of GenAI.
  An Interactive-immersive Lab – an exploration of emerging technologies, interactive lab experience using VR-AI

This symposium is a space for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Day 1 will be for Academics, researchers, students, industry leaders, and policymakers to come together to address one of the most pressing challenges in Higher Education: rethinking teaching, learning, and assessment in the age of generative AI. Day 2 will spotlight Information Systems education and co-creation strategies for the future. Day 3 brings interested parties together to co-create a joint funding bid to help understand the impact of AI in HEI currently.

Submission Catergories and Guidelines

The symposium welcomes a diverse range of contributions that explore innovation, transformation, and emerging practice within Higher Education, with a particular focus on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching, learning, and academic practice.

Submissions may relate to research, practice‑based innovation, evaluation, conceptual work, or short case studies demonstrating AI‑enabled transformation.

AHEAD 2026 - Day 1 — Interactive Café‑Style Sessions

Day 1 is designed to foster conversation, community, and shared learning. Submissions may take one of the following forms:

• Short Abstract (up to 250 words ) - Suitable for early‑stage ideas, emerging practice, or concise reflections.
• Extended Abstract (up to 500 words or 1 A4 page) - Ideal for more developed work that still benefits from interactive discussion.
• Lightning Presentation (5 minutes) - Delivered in a Conversational Café format. Presenters will share a focused insight, example, or challenge, followed by facilitated discussion.
• Short Case Study: AI in Higher Education (500–800 words)- A structured case demonstrating how AI is being used or how it has transformed practice within an HEI. Required headings are provided below.
• Afternoon Papers / Presentations (15 minutes, 2–4 pages) - More developed work suitable for a traditional short‑paper format.

• The intention for Day 1 is to create a vibrant, participatory space where colleagues can exchange ideas, showcase practice, and explore how Higher Education is evolving to embrace AI.

Required Headings for the AI Case Study Submission (For the Short Case: AI in Higher Education category)

        Authors should structure their case using the following headings:

1. Title of the Case - A clear, descriptive title.
2. Context and Background - Brief description of the institutional or programme setting and the challenge or opportunity that prompted the use of AI.
3. Purpose and Objectives - What the AI intervention aimed to achieve.
4. Description of the AI Approach - The AI tool, method, or system used, and how it was integrated into practice.
5. Implementation Process - Steps taken, stakeholders involved, training or support required, and any barriers or enablers.
6. Impact and Outcomes - Evidence of change, improvement, or transformation for students, staff, or institutional processes.
7. Reflections and Lessons Learned - Critical insights, unexpected findings, or considerations for others.
8. Future Directions - Plans for development, scaling, or further exploration.
9. Contact Information (Optional)

NWISEd 2026 - Day 2 - traditional conference format

Day 2 follows a more formal academic structure and includes the 4th NWISEd Workshop, hosted by Swansea University. For more information, visit NWISed.org.

A double-blind review process will be used for the symposium.

General Submission Requirements

All submissions should:

• Clearly describe the practice, project, or insight
• Demonstrate relevance to Higher Education
• Highlight innovation, impact, or lessons learned
• Be written in accessible, engaging language
• Include implications for future practice or research

Submission Portal:

Day 1 - AHEAD: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=aithe2026

Day 2 - NWISEd: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=nwised26

Symposium Dates: July 1st–3rd, 2026Important Dates:

Day 1 - AHEAD

• Day 1 Café Abstract submission deadline: April 30th, 2026
• Day 1 short Paper Submission Deadline: April 30th, 2026
• Day 1 Notification of Acceptance: June 1st, 2026
• Day 1 Camera-Ready Papers: June 15th, 2026

Day 2 : MWISEd submission format and deadlines – see NWISEd.org

Day 3 : NAIADES - ILW [The Jobs We Never Imagined — in the Age of GenAI] - an interactive day with presentations and laboratory VR experiences

List of Topics

The symposium consists of a two and a half day set of workshops. With each of the days focusing on the different streams as indicated below:

Symposium Day 1: AHEAD Workshop Stream

Exploring how generative and agentic AI are reshaping Higher Education. Suggested topics of Interest, but not limited to

1. Authentic Assessment in an AI-Driven World
2. Ethics, Governance, and Policy
3. From Policy to Practice
4. Case Studies and Examples of Practice
5. Technology and Pedagogy
6. Academic Integrity and Assessment Security
7. Student and Faculty Perspectives
8. Agentic AI and Autonomous Learning Systems
9. The social-technical issues of generative and agentic AI
10. Future Directions

Symposium Day 2: NWISEd Workshop Stream

Suggested topics of Interest, not limited to

1. modern education approaches, pedagogical strategies, tools, and technologies (e.g., AR/VR/XR, digital twins, simulated environments, gamification etc.)
2. sustainable learning, teaching, and knowledge assessment experience
3. novel practices in the information systems education
4. integration of modern IT-supported teaching concepts, focussing on ...
   1. specialized AI tools (e.g., AI tutoring, AI grading, AI student profiling etc.)
   2. XR elements (i.e., the use of virtual, augmented or extended reality settings)
   3. simulations (e.g., digital twins or factories, business processes etc.)
5. the use of technology-rich learning spaces (e.g., Future Classroom Labs)
6. the use of AI for creating personalized learning experiences (e.g., personalized tasks matching students’ interests, formative feedback etc.)
7. proven best practices and lessons learned for the integration and use of different AI tools into modern teaching and learning settings (e.g. AI tutoring, AI grading, AI student profiling, etc.)

[ see nwised.org for further information]

Symposium Day 3: NAIADES - ILW [The Jobs We Never Imagined — in the Age of GenAI]

Join us for a dynamic day that begins with an engaging, hands‑on workshop in the Innovation Lab , where an immersive experiencewill allow you to engage with VR and AI in practice.

REGISTRATION:REGISTRATION: REGISTRATION: REGISTRATION:

At least one author must register and attend the symposium to present the paper for inclusion in the proceedings.

REGISTER HERE:

Contact information

All questions about submissions should be emailed to

• General enquiries and AHEAD symposium specific enquiries - Ahead-symposium@swansea.ac.uk
• NWISEd speccific enquiries - info@nwised.org.

AITHE Organising Chair – Dr Desireé Cranfield [ahead-symposium@swansea.ac.uk]

AITHE Organising Committee

• Desireé Cranfield, Swansea University, UK (Chair)
• Paul G Davies, Swansea University, UK
• John Mulyata, Swansea University, UK
• Berry Billingsly, Swansea University, UK
• Salah Kapabanda, University of Cape Town, RSA
• Andrea Tick, University of Buda, Hungary (Co-chair)
• Suzanne Wells, Swansea University, UK
• Kwame Godsway Kisseih, Swansea University, UK

Symposium Day 1 AHEAD and Day 3

General Chairs / PC Chairs

• Desireé Cranfield, Swansea University, UK
• Leighton Evans, Swansea University, UK

AITHE Organising Committee

• Desireé Cranfield, Swansea University, UK
• Leighton Evans, Swansea University, UK
• Daniele Doneddu, Swansea University, UK
• Kwame Kisseih, Swansea University, UK
• Paul G Davies, Swansea University, UK
• John Mulyata, Swansea University, UK
• Salah Kapabanda, University of Cape Town, RSA
• Andrea Tick, University of Buda, Hungary

Program Committee

• Salah Kapabanda, University of Cape Town, RSA
• Andrea Tick, University of Buda, Hungary
• Frederick Boy, Swansea University, UK
• Paul G Davies, Swansea University, UK
• Paul Jones, Swansea University, UK
• Sian Roderick, Swansea University, UK
• Andrew Thomas, Swansea University, UK
• John Mulyata, Swansea University, UK
• Guoqing Zhao, Swansea University, UK
• Bo Wen, Swansea University, UK
• Kwame Godsway Kisseih, Swansea University, UK

SYMPOSIUM DAY 2 NWISEd

NWISEd General Chairs / PC Chairs

• Stephan Schlögl, MCI – The Entrepreneurial School, Austria
• Luka Pavlič, University of Maribor, Slovenia

NWISEd Program Committee (tentative)

• Arno Rottensteiner, MCI – The Entrepreneurial School, Austria
• Christian Ploder, MCI – The Entrepreneurial School, Austria
• Deepak Khazanchi, University of Nebraska , USA
• Dario Liberona, Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland
• Desireé Cranfield, Swansea University, UK
• Florian Merkle, MCI – The Entrepreneurial School, Austria
• Hanlie Snutz, University of Pretoria, South Africa
• I-Hsien Ting, National University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Lili Aunimo, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
• Marjan Heričko, University of Maribor, Slovenia
• Michael Kohlegger, MCI – The Entrepreneurial School, Austria
• Raphael Weidhaas, Aalto University, Finland
• Stephen McCarthy, University College Cork, Ireland
• Tina Beranič, University of Maribor, Slovenia
• Veikko Halttunen, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
• Wendy Rowan, University College Cork, Ireland
• Willemijn van Kooten, University of Maribor, Slovenia
• Xiaodan Yu, University of International Business and Economics, China

SYMPOSIUM DAY 3 - NAIADES / ILW - The Jobs We Never Imagined — in the Age of GenAI

• General Chairs / Organisation Committee 
  Dr Desireé Cranfield, Swansea University, UK  
  Prof Leighton Evans, Swansea University, UK 
  Prof Berry Billingsly, Swansea University, UK 
  Mr Paul A Davies, Swansea University, UK 
  Dr Daniele Donnedu, Swansea University, UK 

Venue

The Symposium will be held in Swansea, UK, at the Swansea University, School of Management, Bay Campus, SA18EN