AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls

Tom Smith

AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls

Tom Smith

School of Strategy, Marketing and Innovation

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

Ever more processes rely on artificial intelligence, yet our governance is still stuck at the level of ‘is it OK for students to use ChatGPT in essays?’, says Tom Smith.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	Times Higher Education Supplement
Publication status	Published - 19 Jan 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

AI - Artificial Intelligence
Higher Education
Higher Education Institutions
higher education reform
higher education strategy
Technology

Access to Document

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/ai-has-moved-universities-engine-room-no-one-controls

1 Other contribution

Whole-of-society defence needs a Defence Universities Alliance that universities actually own
Smith, T., 21 Feb 2026, WonkHE.
Research output: Other contribution

Open Access

Cite this

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title = "AI has moved into universities{\textquoteright} engine room, but no one is at the controls",

abstract = "Ever more processes rely on artificial intelligence, yet our governance is still stuck at the level of {\textquoteleft}is it OK for students to use ChatGPT in essays?{\textquoteright}, says Tom Smith.",

keywords = "AI - Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, Higher Education Institutions, higher education reform, higher education strategy, Technology",

author = "Tom Smith",

year = "2026",

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journal = "Times Higher Education Supplement",

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N2 - Ever more processes rely on artificial intelligence, yet our governance is still stuck at the level of ‘is it OK for students to use ChatGPT in essays?’, says Tom Smith.

AB - Ever more processes rely on artificial intelligence, yet our governance is still stuck at the level of ‘is it OK for students to use ChatGPT in essays?’, says Tom Smith.

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KW - Higher Education

KW - Higher Education Institutions

KW - higher education reform

KW - higher education strategy

KW - Technology

M3 - Article

JO - Times Higher Education Supplement

JF - Times Higher Education Supplement

ER -

AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Whole-of-society defence needs a Defence Universities Alliance that universities actually own

Cite this