We’re delighted to announce that Ligia Deca will deliver the Opening Keynote at the EUNIS 2026 Congress: Academic Freedom in the Age of AI: Advancing Digital Transformation in European Higher Education.
In this keynote, Ligia Deca will explore the evolving relationship between academic freedom and digital transformation in European higher education at a time of rapid technological change and growing societal pressures.
The session will reflect on academic freedom as a fundamental yet increasingly challenged value, distinguishing it from freedom of expression and reaffirming its basis in scientific integrity and responsibility. It will also examine how emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—can both safeguard and potentially constrain academic freedom, underlining the importance of ethical and governance frameworks such as the EHEA Fundamental Values in Higher Education, the EU AI Act, and UNESCO Recommendations on the Ethics of AI.
Drawing on recent European policy agendas and national reform experience, including Romania, the keynote will present digital transformation as a systemic process connecting legislation, infrastructure investment, and the development of digital and AI competences.
The session will conclude with reflections on how universities can strengthen innovation, inclusion, and trust in the digital era while preserving their core mission and values.
