Responsible AI in higher education: Building skills, trust and integrity

AI is reshaping how students write, learn and prepare for life after graduation. For higher education leaders, the challenge is clear: How do we integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the student experience in ways that build skills, uphold academic integrity and prepare graduates for the workforce?

Many institutions are moving from policing AI use to partnering with students. This transition emphasizes trust, transparency and ongoing skill development, mirroring the realities of modern careers where AI is ubiquitous. It also highlights the crucial role of faculty in guiding responsible and meaningful AI use.

One practical example of this approach is Grammarly for Education. Seamlessly integrating with learning management systems and writing platforms, it supports students through brainstorming, research, drafting and revision.

In doing so, the conversation has matured beyond simply detecting AI use; educators and students are now exploring how AI can deepen learning, sharpen critical thinking and inspire creativity.

AI should strengthen – not replace – foundational academic processes. When used responsibly, it empowers students by providing personalized, constructive feedback on clarity, tone and the organization of assignments – while still centring their ownership and creativity.

By keeping students’ ideas at the heart of digital workflows, AI fosters a culture that values both innovation and integrity, providing learners with the tools to grow into more confident, independent writers.

Equally important is building trust. Detection alone can create a climate of suspicion but transparency fosters collaboration and accountability. That’s why we built Grammarly Authorship as a student-first tool – designed to help students and teachers alike.

Authorship sits in front of students and guides their decision-making, helping them become more responsible and intentional writers. Authorship was never designed to catch students; it was designed to empower them to own their work and grow through the process.

The result: students who feel supported, not surveilled; submissions that are stronger and more authentic; and faculty who can focus on teaching higher-order skills instead of correcting surface-level errors.

A commitment to responsible AI adoption includes guaranteeing access for all students, regardless of their financial means, major or prior experience. When institutions implement cohesive and thoughtful deployment strategies, they not only level the playing field but also align AI engagement with the institutional values and goals.

In support of this mission, Grammarly is launching a new generation of AI tools designed specifically for students. These offerings aim to ease the writing process without compromising integrity.

At the centre is docs, an AI-native writing surface that offers specialized agents for brainstorming, research, real-time proofreading, audience reaction insights, plagiarism checks and AI detection. All these tools work together to preserve a student’s authentic voice. By using these tools, students can approach assignments with greater confidence, clarity and academic authenticity – without shortcuts.

Today’s workforce treats AI as routinely as email or word processing. Preparing students for this reality means equipping them to use AI as an ethical, effective, and empowering partner in their learning.

By focusing on skill development, trust-building and accessibility, higher education can ensure AI strengthens the academic experience and prepares graduates with the skills, integrity and confidence they need to thrive in an AI-connected world.

Tanya Milberg leads the Education 4.0 initiative and the Education Industry work at the World Economic Forum.

What does the responsible use of AI look like for learners experimenting with generative tools?

Responsible use isn’t about limiting creativity – it’s about ethics, reflection and agency. Learners should be transparent about AI’s role in their work while taking ownership through revision and critical engagement. They must also recognize biases and limitations in AI outputs, questioning whose voices are represented or excluded.

Used thoughtfully, generative AI enhances brainstorming, visualization and experimentation, helping students become more creative, curious and confident – not just more efficient.

What distinguishes AI literacy from traditional digital literacy and why does that distinction matter in education?

Digital literacy is about using tools safely and effectively. AI literacy goes further: understanding how AI systems work, their risks and their influence on decision-making.

This distinction matters because AI literacy empowers students to move from passive users to active shapers of technology. It prepares them to question bias, demand transparency and engage in ethical innovation.

As the Forum’s Shaping the Future of Learning report emphasizes, education systems must embed AI literacy – distinct from digital literacy – to prepare learners for an AI-driven world.

How can we build AI literacy in a way that supports, not replaces, core human skills like empathy, communication and judgment?

AI literacy should be human-centred. Embedding it in real-world contexts – like healthcare or climate – encourages students to weigh trade-offs, consider diverse perspectives and practice ethical reasoning.

AI can also be used in role-play or scenario-based learning to build empathy and reflection but must be balanced with human-only discussions and collaboration. Done right, AI literacy sharpens – not diminishes – skills like judgment, empathy and communication.

How should we rethink the goals of education in an AI-powered world?

Education should prepare learners to thrive alongside AI, not compete with it. This means shifting from knowledge acquisition to analysis and reflection and prioritizing human strengths like empathy, creativity and collaboration.

AI should personalize learning without reducing it to efficiency alone – helping students build agency, identity and purpose. Above all, education must equip learners to shape AI responsibly, cultivating ethical awareness and critical thinking.

What role should private companies play in supporting the development of responsible AI literacy at scale?

Private companies have a critical role but their efforts must be collaborative, transparent and equity-driven. They can invest in curriculum, teacher training and offline-capable tools that expand access without deepening divides.

They should support open, inclusive initiatives over proprietary approaches and help learners understand AI’s ethical and social impacts. By modelling responsible AI practices themselves, companies can build trust and provide examples for education.

Scaling AI literacy is a shared responsibility – and companies working with educators, governments and communities can help create a generation of learners who engage with AI critically, ethically and confidently.