Colleagues from the Centre for Academic and Digital Innovation attended Digifest 2026, joining a national community of educators and innovators exploring the evolving role of digital technology in higher education (HE) and further education (FE).
This year’s event focused on moving “from disruption to direction”, with a strong emphasis on how institutions can respond to rapid technological change in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and human-centred.
A key theme throughout was the growing impact of generative AI on teaching, learning, and assessment. Sessions encouraged us not only to explore what AI can do, but to critically reflect on how we use it, and whether we are asking the right questions as educators. Professor Danny Liu’s session particularly highlighted the importance of designing learning experiences that prioritise critical thinking and student agency in an AI-enabled world.
The keynote from Melati Wijsen offered a different but equally powerful perspective, focusing on youth leadership and the importance of taking action to create meaningful change. This provided a valuable reminder that innovation is not just about technology, but about people, purpose, and impact.
Beyond the sessions, Digifest also provided an opportunity to explore a wide range of emerging digital tools and platforms. The exhibition space highlighted the pace of development across the sector and reinforced the importance of evaluating tools not just for functionality, but for their pedagogical value and alignment with institutional priorities.
Overall, Digifest 2026 reinforced the importance of approaching digital innovation with curiosity, criticality, and a clear focus on enhancing the student experience. Thinking about how AI can be utilised as a useful tool rather than a problem that needs to be removed.