20 August 2026

AFR Higher Education Summit explores what’s next for Australia’s tertiary sector in the age of AI

Australia’s higher education sector is at a pivotal moment, with institutions navigating financial pressures, policy reform, rising expectations and the rapid advancement of AI. These themes were at the centre of discussion during this week’s Australian Financial Review Higher Education Summit, sponsored by TechnologyOne for the second consecutive year.

Funding models are changing, regulation is intensifying, international student policy is shifting, and research priorities are evolving. At the same time, student expectations continue to rise, while AI reshapes the skills and capabilities graduates need to succeed in the workforce.

At the Summit, sector leaders, regulators and policymakers examined the deeper questions facing the sector: how can institutions remain financially sustainable, put students at the centre of decision-making and maintain control of their future in an AI-driven world?

TechnologyOne Executive Vice President for Education, Mark Jones, said the conversation around AI has shifted from possibility to practical application.

“The discussion is no longer on whether institutions should adopt AI, but how they can use it to deliver meaningful outcomes for students, educators and administrators. The organisations making the greatest progress approach AI as a strategic capability, align it to institutional priorities and focus on measurable outcomes.”

As AI adoption accelerates, universities must embrace innovation while strengthening accountability, and retaining control over their data, decisions and strategic direction.

UNSW AI Institute Director, Dr Sue Keay, said higher education has an important role in shaping the responsible adoption of AI.

“The speed at which change is happening is making things increasingly challenging for universities. We’re having to make decisions with limited information while balancing the needs of students, operations and research, and at the same time upskilling people across the business. It’s fundamentally changing how universities need to operate and make decisions.”

Long-term success will depend on leaders’ ability to navigate a fast-changing technology landscape, while maintaining clear strategic direction. Institutions need the visibility, capability and confidence to innovate without losing sight of their priorities.

The Summit also explored how universities can create greater value for students through more connected experiences, lifelong learning opportunities and flexible educational pathways.

TechnologyOne Director of Education Strategy, Olivia Roberts, said students’ expectations are constantly evolving.

“Students increasingly expect education to fit around their lives, careers and aspirations, not the other way around. The institutions creating the greatest value are focused on simplifying the student experience and making it easier for learners to engage with education throughout their lives.”

The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of student mobility and the need to better support learners as they move between institutions, qualifications and learning pathways.

MortarCAPS Chief Executive Officer, Charlsey Pearce, said the sector has an opportunity to remove friction from the student experience.

“Students are building skills and qualifications across multiple stages of life and learning pathways. The opportunity for the sector is to make those journeys easier to navigate and ensure achievements can be recognised wherever learning takes place.”

A clear message emerged throughout the Summit: while AI may change how universities operate, leadership will determine how successfully they navigate that transformation.

The institutions best positioned for the future will combine innovation with strong governance, build organisational capability and keep a relentless focus on student outcomes.