Connecting Cambridge AI Summit: Human-Centred Innovation Takes the Lead

12 November 2025

Jessica Livermore

Hundreds of experts gathered for the first time to explore how artificial intelligence can responsibly shape the future of education and publishing at University of Cambridge.

About the AI Summit

A story by Sophie White, published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, noted: “Sharing knowledge and navigating the effective and responsible use of AI-enabled technology were at the heart of a “landmark” education event on 21 October.”

Helena Renfrew Knight, Chief Strategy Officer, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, University of Cambridge welcomed teams working on AI to share knowledge and innovation, and identify areas for future collaboration.

This was followed by a range of speakers on various topics. Hosted by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the event highlighted the growing influence of AI in the education sector and its potential to enhance teaching, research, and publishing through ethical and transparent practices. Speakers and delegates agreed that AI presents extraordinary opportunities for innovation, but also significant responsibilities and environmental impact.

Themes

The summit highlighted three key ways University of Cambridge is helping to shape the responsible use of AI in education:

Empowering Education

Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge noted “the impact Cambridge was having with current initiatives on AI use in education such as ai@cam and Accelerate Science.”

Building deeper collaboration

Speakers shared insights into the broad range of AI-enabled initiatives taking place across Cambridge, some notable examples include:

explorations into the use of AI for automarking and feedback in assessments
tools to enhance classroom teaching in subjects such as climate education
the use of AI in English language teaching and learning was a key theme
the substantial programme of support and guidance for university students and researchers across multiple disciplines
using AI to simulate business scenarios
general topics such as addressing plagiarism and data protection

Responsible use of AI

A recurring theme throughout the event was the development and use of AI as a tool to support, rather than replace, human expertise.

Landmark step

Connecting Cambridge was a landmark step in building deeper collaboration across the Cambridge AI eco-system. A follow up event is taking place for experts working in AI in November 2025.

Based on a story by Sophie White (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Shared with permission and lightly adapted for brevity by Jessica Livermore.

Photo by Cambridge University Press & Assessment.