AI in Education: Impact, Insights, & Innovation – a success!

Why this conference & why now?

AI is significantly impacting the ways of working of almost all across Leiden University and this is only the beginning. As a technology set only to grow in its impact, adaptation is essential and must be achieved coherently, with knowledge of the current climate, and a view to the future. Such adaptation is not a challenge faced by one department or subject area alone, but one which must be addressed by all and which has great potential. With this in mind, the following topics were placed at the centre of our programme: 

• Policies 
• Facilities 
• Research 
• Assessment methods 
• Privacy 
• Educational guidelines 

Morning schedule

Hosted by Learning Designer and Educational Researcher Zohre Mohammadi Zenouzagh (LLInC), our morning programme saw all attendees gather for the following presentations: 

• Short presentation: Evgeny Verbitskiy (Maths) ‘Teaching Math in Times of AI’ 
• Keynote: Tycho de Graaf (Law), ‘AI & Written Assignments at Law’  
• Keynote: Andrei Poama (FGGA) ‘Fair Educational Assessment in the Age of AI (FAIR ASSESS)’ 
• Keynote: Niki van Stein (LIACS) ‘Evolving Knowledge: What Evolutionary Search and Agentic LLMs can teach us’ 

Each presentation was followed by lively discussion in the form of a Q&A. 

Afternoon workshops & presentations

The conference’s afternoon session encouraged attendees choose between an array of presentations and workshops, all of which were led by members of staff here at Leiden University. These sessions allowed participants to dive into their specific topics of interest, meeting those with whom this interest is shared. 

Workshops 

• Education is Changing Forever – Marc Cleiren (FSW)  
• AI & Policy for Researchers at Law – Jan-Jaap Oerlemans (Law)  
• The Future of AI & Assessment in 2036 – Judith Vels & Harriët Damen (LLInC)  
• Project Management in AI – Lara Pedraz & Pien Leeuwenburgh (LLInC) 

Presentations 

• Integrating AI into Medical Education – Marcel Haas (LUMC) 
• AI & Media Production at the LLInC Studio – Adel Qaddoumi & Erwin Veenstra (LLInC) 
• AI Act & Education – Marco Correa Pérez (LLInC) & Isra Acherrat (BB)  
• Can AI be creative? If so, how? – Maarten Lamers (LIACS) 
• From IQ to AI: How AI works on the inside – Thomas Moerland (LIACS) 

Panel discussion

The day concluded with an interactive, lively panel discussion moderated by Melissa Amorós Lark (LLInC) and featuring as panellists Maria van Kooij (SOZ), Max van Arnhem (Privacy & Security Office), and Julian van der Kraats (ISSC). Among the key questions forming the shape of the discussion were the following: 

• With what kinds of questions or challenges do colleagues usually approach your department? 
• How does your department support faculties (e.g. teaching staff with their educational innovation requests more broadly/specifically)? 
• What opportunities do you see for AI to improve education at Leiden University (from your department’s point of view in particular)? 
• What risks, concerns, or limitations should we be aware of when introducing AI tools in our education? 

Although providing a framework for insightful discussion, these questions far from limited its scope. Through attendee contribution, the debate expanded to encompass AI’s use in assessment as well as the nature of (and discrepancies between) students’ relationships with the technology.

Not without challenge but optimism is justified! 

In sum, although this conference has highlighted the wide variety of views and perspectives held across Leiden University regarding AI’s impact upon education, this does not mean that our institution’s future in this area will be defined by disagreement and stagnation. On the contrary, the open discussion of such differences is the prerequisite for both progress and institution-wide understanding. Moreover, ‘AI in Education: Insights, Impact, & Innovation’ cast a bright light upon the passionate and determined nature of staff across our university when it comes to desiring collaboration, developing shared knowledge, and moving forward in a coherent, well-structured manner. There is much still to achieve but the future appears bright!

Once again, we would like to thank all those of you who came along to join on the day – your presence, contribution, and enthusiasm was very much appreciated.

Launch of AI in Education Special Interest Group (SIG)

Over the coming weeks, LLInC is launching a new Special Interest Group (SIG) devoted entirely to the topic of AI in Education! 

Open to all members of staff across Leiden University, this group will provide a platform (both online and offline) to expand upon discussions, meet others, and initiate ventures.

To join this SIG, please fill in the expression of interest form and our team will be in touch! 

Moreover, if you have any questions and would like to get in touch, feel welcome to contact us by email at AIED@leidenuniv.nl.