Doha, Qatar: The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the United States, announced the release of a newly published research study entitled “Navigating Skills Adaptation: Integrating AI in Higher Education”.
The study offers a global comparative perspective on how higher education systems are adapting to artificial intelligence redefining skills, teaching practices, and pathways to employment.
Drawing on case studies from Qatar, Colombia, Ghana, India, Kazakhstan, Spain, and the United States, the study explores the evolving role of universities as both catalysts and custodians of AI integration. It examines how institutions are embedding AI across curriculum design, upskilling faculty, preparing students for an AI-driven workforce, and building new bridges between academia and industry.
The research study underscores that while AI presents vast opportunities to enhance learning and improve workforce readiness, it also raises urgent questions about ethics, equity, and the preservation of human-centered education. Effective integration requires a balance between digital fluency and critical thinking, and a stronger alignment between higher education and labor markets.
“Higher education stands at a pivotal moment. The choices institutions make today will determine whether AI becomes a tool that amplifies human potential or replaces it,” said Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE. “Our collaboration with IIE builds on a shared belief that education institutions must be active participants in the debate around how to develop AI that is aligned with human ethics, interests, and priorities.”
The findings call for increased investment in reskilling educators, supporting them to use AI responsibly in administrative and academic contexts. The report also emphasizes the need for collaborative frameworks that link academia, government, and industry to mitigate skills gaps and foster innovation across disciplines.
“IIE’s partnership with WISE to explore the practical implications of AI in the higher education space builds on our mutual commitment to advance practices and policies that help international education evolve as technology advances. IIE is proud to bring its long-standing expertise in data-driven research to support this critical initiative,” said Jason Czyz, President and CEO of IIE.
As part of the Consortium on AI and Higher Education for Workforce Development, this study marks the first phase of a long-term research effort by WISE and IIE to map the global landscape of AI in education. The Consortium aims to deepen understanding of how AI is transforming the nature of skills, learning, and employability and to provide actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and employers alike.
“By bringing together a global network of scholars, educators, and industry leaders, the Global Consortium drives forward-thinking solutions that will shape the future of learning and work. The research emerging from this work addresses current challenges and paves the way for a more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive global higher education landscape.” said Selma Talha-Jebril, Director of Research and Policy at WISE.
The report Navigating Skills Adaptation: Integrating AI in Higher Education is available for download at https://www.wise-qatar.org/navigating-skills-adaptation-integrating-ai-in-higher-education-global-consortium-on-artificial-intelligence-and-higher-education-for-workforce-development/.
