Universities worldwide are rethinking many aspects of Teaching and Learning in response to rapid advances in digital technology—especially generative AI. This challenge, first spotlighted at the 2023 U21 Educational Innovation Symposium, led to the launch of two -year project Transforming Assessment in a New Era.

As Project Lead, Prof Joanne Wright (University of Sydney), outlines in the final project report however the project developed to explore how institutions are innovating, where they’re struggling, and what opportunities AI presents for teaching and learning including and beyond assessment.

Each U21 university was invited to contribute a case study outlining their approach to AI in assessment, forming the foundation of the research. Over three project phases, leaders driving institutional AI responses were interviewed, capturing both common themes and distinct strategies. These insights were regularly shared with the U21 Educational Leaders and Senior Academic Developers to inform and stimulate collective learning across the network.

The project concluded in July 2025 with the release of a set of practical resources. These showcase current approaches across U21, promote peer learning, and support ongoing adaptation to AI in higher education.