Events
Multiplier Live Event at MCI
On October 20th, European experts gathered at the ALFA Labs Panel Discussion to explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming higher education. Read key insights from “A New Era of Learning. AI in Higher Education is Here to Stay” and discover how universities are shaping a more ethical, data-driven, and human-centered future of learning.
Reflections from the ALFA Labs Live Discussion
The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education took center stage at the recent ALFA Labs Panel Discussion, “A New Era of Learning. AI in Higher Education is Here to Stay.” Organized under the Ulysseus European University Alliance and funded by Erasmus+, the event gathered experts and practitioners from across Europe to explore how universities can harness AI responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Moderated by Prof. Dr. Claudia Mössenlechner, Higher Education Expert of MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®, the panel featured distinguished voices who examined AI’s growing impact on teaching, learning, and institutional governance.
Key Insights from the Panel
- Diane Freiberger (FIBAA) emphasized that AI is reshaping every stage of the academic value chain – from admissions to assessment. She highlighted the rise of competence-oriented education and micro-credentials as flexible complements to traditional degrees. In her view, educators are becoming mentors and facilitators, guiding students in reflective, responsible use of AI tools.
- Dr. Peter Mirski, CDO of MCI stressed the importance of centralized AI infrastructures to ensure compliance with the EU AI Act, GDPR, and sustainability standards. He described a collaborative initiative among Austrian universities to harmonize AI governance and introduced the idea of an “AI driver’s license” – concise, practical training that builds user confidence and accountability.
- Dr. Markus Frischhut (MCI) explored AI through the lens of ethics, law, and European values. He underlined the need for transparency, fairness, and human oversight, noting that while AI may operate as a “black box,” humans must remain responsible for decisions. “AI should never replace academic or ethical judgment,” he concluded, “but strengthen it.”
Across the discussion, one message resonated clearly:
AI in higher education is no longer optional – it is essential.
Universities must embrace it strategically, ensuring that technological progress goes hand in hand with ethical responsibility, data integrity, and human-centered learning.
“AI is here to stay. What matters is how we shape it – responsibly, collaboratively, and with a human touch.”
ALFA Labs Project Meeting at MCI
On October 8-9, MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® hosted the latest ALFA Labs project meeting – a key milestone in our shared journey to advance AI-driven digital transformation in higher education under the Ulysseus European University Alliance.
Highlights from the Meeting
- Finalized the AI Digital Transformation Plan (DTP) — a holistic framework guiding institutions in implementing AI responsibly and effectively.
- Conducted first user testing of the ALFA Labs AI Assessment Index Tool, gathering educator feedback to enhance its real-world usability.
- Co-created inclusive and flexible teaching practices, defined Living Lab participant criteria, and discussed the design for four new hybrid lesson plans.
- Engaged in collaborative workshops with partners from
Technical University of Košice (TUKE), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, University of Montenegro (UCG), and MCI.
These discussions and activities showcased the strong spirit of collaboration within the consortium, reinforcing our shared commitment to co-creation, innovation, and the responsible integration of AI in higher education.
The ALFALabs project focuses on:
- Building AI-supported lesson plans and digital assessment tools.
- Developing the ALFA Kit – a roadmap for digital capacity building.
- Launching a 3 ECTS MOOC to strengthen AI literacy across Europe.
These initiatives align with the EU AI Act and the European Skills Agenda, promoting responsible, scalable, and sustainable innovation in higher education.
Kick-off Meeting at Haaga-Helia
In March 2025 Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences hosted the kickoff meeting for the pioneering Ulysseus satellite project, ALFA Labs.
Project partners, AI experts, and researchers from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Technical University of Kosice (TUKE), University of Montenegro (UCG), and MCI | The Entrepreneurial School gathered at the Haaga-Helia campus to officially launch the project.
The kick-off meeting served as the starting signal for the collaboration – it laid the foundation for the development of a digital transformation plan, defined the goals of the Living Labs, and reaffirmed the joint commitment to digital education and transformation.
Stay up to date on the progress of ALFA Labs through a number of channels. You can look forward to the tools, resources and opportunities that ALFA Labs will provide to profitably integrate AI into higher education processes.
Let’s shape the future of AI in higher education together!
Beneficiaries
Funding
AlfaLabs has received funding under the Erasmus+ KA220 HED cooperation partnerships 2024-1-FI01-KA220-HED-000248157. The views and opinions expressed in this communication are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.