In today’s rapidly globalising and digitalising world, internationalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the landscape of higher education. Recognising the importance of these transformative forces, the Austrian National Agency – OeAD, focused its annual Higher Education Conference in November 2024 on the intersection of AI and internationalisation. Together with experts and representatives from higher education institutions (HEI), the OeAD examined the importance of AI and its practical implications at the interface between internationalisation and areas such as administration, cooperation in university partnerships, studies and teaching. 

The keynotes covered a wide range of topics, from a sociological and pedagogical view of AI to the legal framework conditions imposed on users by the AI Act. 

The event additionally comprised over 20 group sessions and AI showcases, based on contributions from university representatives. The group sessions presented a number of practical and organisational aspects and challenges related to AI. These included its use as a tool for internationalisation efforts and its importance for teaching and administrative tasks. The AI showcases presented concrete examples of AI tools in higher education, including AI chatbots for teaching and learning, an AI Moodle plugin and LearnResults GPT. 

The conference provided visitors with a wealth of new insights into how AI has already become integral to university life. It is also evident that there are limitations, particularly in the area of legal framework conditions and compliance with the GDPR. It is clear that comprehensive AI applications in the higher education sector can only be sustainable if they are developed jointly, i.e. beyond institutional boundaries.