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IIT Kanpur To Organize National Workshop On Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Higher Education
Uttar Pradesh : There are many ways artificial intelligence (AI) can transform and enhance teaching and learning in higher education. However, there are valid concerns that AI will undermine the essential role of teachers and educators. To explore this and other related issues, a national workshop on “AI in Higher Education” will be held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur from 24 October 2026. The workshop is organized by the Center for Educational Research and Teaching Excellence (CERTEX), IIT Kanpur with the support of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur.
Generative AI like ChatGPT has transformed teaching and learning. It is undeniable that AI will play an important role in teaching and learning in the future. It will also be integral in automated assessment and academic mentoring. As such, the workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss the positive impact of AI on different aspects of higher education and how to safeguard academic integrity and the essential role of teachers and educators. The workshop is open to faculty, researchers and administrators in higher education.
What Will the IIT Kanpur AI Workshop Cover?
The workshop will explore options for incorporating AI into higher education, with a focus on classroom transformation and evolving assessment practices. As per the official CERTEX programme, the discussions will revolve around six major themes:
- AI as an educational aid for teachers and students
- AI-assisted teaching, tutoring and personalised learning
- Classroom transformation and interactive learning practices
- Assessment redesign in the age of generative AI
- Ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence
- Academic integrity, transparency and human oversight
The emphasis will be on identifying areas where AI can be useful rather than simply adopting technology for the sake of it. Tools for preparing learning materials, explaining concepts and individual learning needs can be helpful but raise concerns about accuracy, fairness and the reliability of assessments.
The workshop will engage educators on these opportunities and challenges in the context of classroom practices.
Human Mentorship Remains a Key Focus
How can AI support teachers without undermining the guidance students receive from human mentors? That's one of the key questions being explored at the workshop. The official programme includes a session on “Human Mentorship in the Age of AI”, to be led by Professor Vimal Singh of CSJMU. Another session, led by Professor Manjari Gupta of BHU, will explore AI augmentation in classroom teaching.
These discussions are important given that students are already using AI tools to seek explanations, prepare assignments and gain insight into unfamiliar subjects. While such tools can be useful, teachers continue to play a key role in motivating learners, interpreting individual circumstances, offering research guidance and developing critical thinking skills. The workshop will also include an open-mic session on transforming classrooms through AI, for participants to share their experiences and views.
The aim is to explore a model where technology enhances education while human judgement, context and mentorship continue to be relevant.
Assessment and Academic Integrity in the AI Era
Assessment is another major theme of the workshop. With generative AI capable of writing essays, solving problems and generating code, educators have to consider how to evaluate students' understanding. The programme will include sessions on leveraging AI for assignments, coding assignments in the age of AI and AI applications in assessment. An open-mic discussion will bring together members of the CERTEX team to examine assessment-related challenges and approaches.
These conversations can help educators consider if assignments should focus more on reasoning, practical application, oral explanations or the process through which students arrive at an answer. However, the use of AI in assessment also requires safeguards. Institutions have to consider academic integrity, transparency and fair evaluation rather than relying on automated tools alone. The workshop will explore practical insights that institutions can integrate into their own practices.
Ethics, Responsible AI and the Future of Higher Education
The final thematic session will focus on ethics in AI, followed by a panel discussion on AI in higher education. The ethics session is scheduled to feature Professor Somu Singh of BHU. The panel will bring together academic and other experts to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence for educational institutions.
Responsible use, fairness, transparency and human oversight are important considerations as universities explore AI-assisted learning and research. A tool that produces a convincing answer cannot be assumed to be accurate, and institutions have to consider how student data, academic work and decision-making are handled. CERTEX aims to leverage the workshop to develop practical recommendations and examples that can be adopted by higher education institutions across the country.
IIT Kanpur AI Workshop 2026: Date, Venue and Organisers
- Event: National Workshop on “AI in Higher Education”
- Date: October 24, 2026
- Venue: L17, Lecture Hall Complex, IIT Kanpur, Kalyanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Organiser: Centre for Educational Research and Teaching Excellence (CERTEX), IIT Kanpur
- Collaborating institutions: Banaras Hindu University and CSJMU, Kanpur
- Main themes: Teaching, learning, assessment, classroom transformation, ethics and human mentorship
FAQs
1. When will the AI in Higher Education workshop be held at IIT Kanpur?
The National Workshop on AI in Higher Education is scheduled for October 24, 2026.
2. Which institutions are organising the workshop?
CERTEX at IIT Kanpur is organising the workshop with the support of Banaras Hindu University and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur.
3. Where will the workshop take place?
The workshop is scheduled at L17, Lecture Hall Complex, IIT Kanpur, Kalyanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
4. What topics will be discussed at the workshop?
The programme will cover AI-assisted teaching, tutoring, personalised learning, classroom transformation, assessment redesign, academic integrity and responsible AI use.
5. Will the workshop discuss human mentorship in education?
Yes. The workshop will include a dedicated session on “Human Mentorship in the Age of AI”.
6. Who should follow the workshop?
Faculty members, researchers, administrators, education professionals and others interested in responsible AI adoption in higher education may find the discussions relevant. Prospective participants should consult the official workshop page to learn about participation.
7. Where can readers find the official workshop schedule?
The detailed programme is available on the CERTEX website.
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