New HEPI Policy Note ‘What UK university AI policies actually do: A study of 96 institutions’

“A new HEPI Policy Note (HEPI Policy Note 71) by Professor Sam Illingworth, raises serious questions about how universities are responding to generative AI – revealing that two in five UK universities still have no AI policy that students, parents or regulators can easily find online. Based on analysis of 96 institutions, the report argues that while many universities present their policies as educational tools, a closer look suggests they often function primarily as systems of detection, monitoring and discipline. The findings expose a highly fragmented landscape. With each institution effectively developing its own approach, students can encounter radically different expectations and assumptions depending on where they study. The report also highlights a striking absence of trust within current policies: none explicitly state that students are trusted to use AI responsibly, with many instead requiring declarations, evidence retention and verification processes. Perhaps most provocatively, the study suggests that where a policy is located within an institution – whether under academic misconduct or learning and teaching – reveals more about its true purpose than the language it uses. Alongside its critique, the report identifies examples of good practice and sets out five principles for a more student-centred approach to AI governance. As universities continue grappling with the rapid rise of generative AI, the report asks whether current policies are genuinely helping students learn – or simply policing them. To read the press release and find a link to the full report click here. The post New HEPI Policy Note ‘What UK university AI policies actually do: A study of 96 institutions’ appeared first on HEPI .

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