AI Governance and Student Perspectives: Democratising Higher Education through Technology

Digital Education Council member Amity University Online (AUO) is using AI to expand access to quality education for India’s underserved 90%, with an aim to make learning more accessible and inclusive.

During the Digital Education Council (DEC) Executive Briefing India, “AI Governance and Students Perception”, DEC President Danny Bielik interviewed Ajit Chauhan, Chairman of AUO. In this article, we gather Mr. Chauhan’s insights into how AUO has successfully integrated AI to enhance the educational experience. 

Chauhan’s interview was delivered as a followup to the landmark DEC Global AI Student Survey released globally in August 2024.

Some important findings of the survey include:

• 86% of students already use AI in their studies, with 54% on a weekly basis
• 66% of students feel that AI writing assistants will improve their learning outcome
• 59% of students expect their universities to increase the use of AI in teaching and learning

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‍The Growing Momentum of AI Adoption

According to Chauhan, India is witnessing aggressive adoption of AI across its universities driven by global trends and local government initiatives. Many institutions, including AUO, are integrating AI, Machine Learning, and Generative AI into their curricula in an attempt to prepare students for AI-driven jobs of the future. Beyond curriculum updates universities are establishing research centres to enhance faculty training, streamline administrative tasks, and further AI integration.

The survey reveals that students are optimistic about using AI tools, with 69% utilising it for information searches and 42% for grammar checks. Although AI adoption is in its early stages, it is expected to grow as the technology becomes more accessible.

Alessandro Di Lullo, CEO of the DEC and Academic Fellow in AI Governance at The University of Hong Kong reiterated “Universities must not only define how AI is used, but also ensure continuous feedback and training so both students and staff are empowered and supported”.

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‍AI’s Potential to Bridge the Divide

India's AI adoption is unique due to its stark digital divide. Chauhan noted that while a small percentage of the population has access to high-quality infrastructure and faculty, 90% of the country lacks these resources. AI holds the potential to democratise education by providing this underserved population with access to top-tier content, personalised learning platforms and better-equipped educators.

For example, AUO introduced virtual professor “Amy” into the learning management system to provide 24/7 academic support. "We were the first university in India to launch a virtual professor,” said Chauhan.

AI can enhance inclusivity in education, supporting the Indian government's goal of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) from 27% to 50% by 2035. Through AI and online education reforms, India can add 40 million students to its higher education system, helping to close the digital divide and expand access to quality learning.

“With AI adoption, we can truly focus on inclusivity rather than exclusivity,” Chauhan stated, showcasing AUO’s commitment to using AI as a force for positive change.

AI integration in education has the potential to improve access and support diverse learning needs. As its use expands, it will play an important role in shaping a more inclusive educational system.