New HEPI report advises universities to act now on GenAI – and to put human competency at the centre

A new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), Being indispensable: Capabilities for a human-AI world, the ‘FUTURES' framework, argues that universities should take more robust approaches to GenAI integration, as the technology becomes more embedded in everyday and academic life.

Written by Dr Doug Specht and Professor Gunter Saunders of the University of Westminster, the report says strengthening human competencies must be the top priority for higher education institutions in order to harness the greatest benefits from GenAI.

The authors note 75% of young people aged 13 to 18 have already used GenAI, with similar patterns visible across higher education. This rapid uptake brings major opportunities: GenAI can personalise learning, reduce staff workload and widen access to support. However, the risks are substantial. GenAI models can reflect bias within their training data, access to the most capable systems may deepen inequalities and an uncritical reliance on GenAI can weaken independence, originality and authentic learning. Concerns around environmental impact add an additional layer of complexity.

The report argues universities need a dual approach to GenAI-enabled learning. It calls for curricula that embed human-AI collaboration while ensuring that ethical reasoning, critical thinking and wellbeing remain central to academic development. New approaches must also include practical governance, staff and student training and equitable access to tools. 

To support this, the authors introduce the FUTURES framework, a practical model designed to help institutions integrate GenAI effectively while strengthening the human capabilities that AI cannot replace. The framework spans seven domains:

1. Fluency in AI and Digital Systems
2. Understanding Self and Wellbeing
3. Technology Ethics and Responsibility
4. Understanding others and Social Intelligence
5. Resilience and Adaptability
6. Emerging Technology Awareness
7. Society and Professional Engagement

The FUTURES framework offers universities a concrete way of turning high-level AI principles into day-to-day educational practice. By using FUTURES alongside tools such as Jisc's AI Maturity Framework, institutions can design modules, assessments and professional development that deliberately build the human capabilities needed to work critically and creatively with GenAI, ensuring that technological adoption is firmly anchored in pedagogical values and student success.

Going forward, the report argues that sector bodies should provide clearer guidance on assessment in an AI-enabled environment and government should invest in capability building to ensure students and staff thrive in an AI-rich world. By adopting FUTURES, universities can strengthen human potential while navigating the opportunities and risks of AI.

Dr Doug Specht, Head of School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster and co-author of the report, said:

“GenAI is already woven into students' everyday lives, so universities cannot afford to sit on the sidelines; we must redesign curricula, assessment and support so that human judgement, ethics and wellbeing are strengthened, not eroded, by these tools.

“The FUTURES framework is our invitation to the sector to move past short‑term panic and piecemeal policies towards a coherent, human‑centred approach that prepares students to thrive as co‑workers with AI rather than competitors to it.”

Professor Gunter Saunders, Director of Digital Capability Development and AI Leadership at the University of Westminster and the other co-author of the report, said:

“As use of generative AI becomes commonplace, distinctly human qualities such as imagination, creativity, integrity and collaboration become even more valuable.

“Universities have a responsibility to intentionally develop these capabilities so graduates can shape the future rather than simply respond to it.”

Nick Hillman, HEPI's Director, said:

“The voracious appetite of universities to learn more about how best to use AI is unmatched by anything I have seen in 20 years of working on higher education policy.

“Governors, managers and other staff are very eager to ensure their institutions capture the full advantages of AI. But there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty, not to mention intense funding pressures, that gets in the way.

“So I expect this very practical report to be welcomed by institutions up and down the country.”