University of Bologna: AI and Educational Innovation for Effective and Personalized Teaching

The University of Bologna, one of Europe’s oldest institutions, has taken a measured approach to integrating AI into education. By prioritizing governance and ethical use, the university seeks to equip educators with tools and guidelines that enable innovation while maintaining academic integrity.

Selection and deployment of AI tools

While Bologna has not yet rolled out AI tools at scale, the university has closely monitored advancements in platforms like Moodle, which incorporates AI-driven features. Tools under consideration include:

• AI quiz generators: automating question creation based on course materials to save educators time.
• AI-assisted content development: supporting faculty in creating and refining teaching materials.

Challenges and ethical considerations

Bologna’s deliberate approach stems from the university’s commitment to avoiding premature adoption of tools that could compromise academic integrity.

AI-assisted content development: supporting faculty in creating and refining teaching materials.

For instance, during the pandemic, the university experimented with AI-powered proctoring tools, but ultimately decided against their use due to privacy concerns and potential intrusiveness.

Future training and educator empowerment

The university plans to implement structured training programs for faculty once the guidelines are finalized. These sessions will train educators on:

• How to integrate AI tools effectively into their teaching.
• Ethical considerations surrounding AI use in education.
• Best practices for maintaining transparency and accountability.

As the governance committee finalizes its recommendations, the University of Bologna aims to strike a balance between innovation and caution. By empowering educators with thoughtfully chosen tools and clear guidelines, Bologna is preparing its faculty to lead in the responsible use of AI in education.