This keynote explores the evolving relationship between academic freedom and digital transformation in European higher education amid rapid technological change and growing societal pressures.
It reflects on academic freedom as a fundamental yet increasingly challenged value, clarifying its distinction from freedom of expression and its grounding in scientific integrity and responsibility. The keynote will also examine the role of emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—in both safeguarding and potentially constraining academic freedom, highlighting the importance of ethical and governance frameworks such as the EHEA Fundamental Values in Higher Education, the EU AI Act, and UNESCO’s Recommendations on the Ethics of AI (2021) and Neurotechnology (2025).
Drawing on recent European policy agendas and national reform experience, the keynote presents digital transformation as a systemic process linking legislation, infrastructure investment, and the development of digital and AI competences. Ligia Deca’s experience in national reforms, including those in Romania, will be used to illustrate large-scale policy design, early AI integration in education, and support for flexible learning pathways.
The keynote concludes with reflections on how universities can strengthen innovation, inclusion, and trust in the digital era while preserving their core mission and values.
