ACADEMIAAI GLOBAL 2026
Academia in the Age of
Artificial Intelligence
International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Academia
Reimagining Knowledge, Research and Education in the Intelligence Age
Hosted by
About the conference
Welcome to ACADEMIAAI GLOBAL 2026
ACADEMIAAI GLOBAL 2026 is an international conference on Artificial Intelligence and Academia. The conference brings together academics, researchers, postgraduate students, teaching and learning practitioners, curriculum developers, higher education leaders, and AI practitioners to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping knowledge production, research practice, teaching, assessment, academic integrity, and institutional capacity.
Hosted by M&G Research Consultants, in collaboration with ROOPT, the Central University of Technology, Free State, and the University of Namibia, the conference provides a scholarly and practical platform for critical engagement with artificial intelligence in higher education.
The conference recognises that artificial intelligence is no longer a distant technological development. It is now actively influencing how knowledge is generated, how students learn, how research is conducted, how assessment is designed, and how universities prepare for the future.
Who should attend
This conference is designed for
ACADEMIAAI GLOBAL 2026 welcomes participants from all disciplines and institutional contexts across the higher education sector.
Academics and lecturers in higher education
Researchers and research supervisors
Postgraduate students
Teaching and learning practitioners
Curriculum developers
Higher education managers and policy makers
Research development officers
AI and educational technology practitioners
Journal editors and peer reviewers
Institutional leaders responsible for academic quality and governance
Conference sub themes
Eight sub themes for submission
Submissions should align with one or more of the following sub themes covering all areas of AI in academia.
Generative AI and the future of academic research
How AI is transforming research conceptualisation, literature reviews, data analysis, writing, publishing, collaboration, and knowledge production.
Ethics, integrity and responsible use of AI in scholarship
Academic integrity, authorship, plagiarism, AI disclosure, data privacy, research ethics, bias, accountability, and responsible AI governance.
AI-assisted data analysis and research methodologies
The use of AI in qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, systematic review, bibliometric, and computational research designs.
AI literacy and digital pedagogy in higher education
How academics and students can develop the skills required to use AI responsibly and effectively in teaching and learning.
Redesigning assessment in the age of AI
How assessment can be redesigned in response to AI tools, including authentic, oral, reflective, and project-based assessment designs.
AI, curriculum design and course development
The role of AI in curriculum renewal, module design, learning outcomes, teaching materials, and programme innovation.
Academic publishing, peer review and knowledge ownership
How AI affects journal publishing, peer review, editorial practice, intellectual property, authorship, and scholarly communication.
Capacity building for researchers, supervisors and institutions
How institutions can prepare staff and students for responsible AI adoption through training, policy, infrastructure, and support systems.
Programme structure
Five days. Two phases.
The conference is structured to deliver both rigorous scholarly exchange and hands-on practical skills development across five days.
Paper presentation days
Wednesday 16 – Friday 18 September 2026
Full workshop days
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 September 2026
Call for papers
Categories of submission
ACADEMIAAI GLOBAL 2026 invites submissions across five categories. All submissions should address the conference theme and its sub themes.
Full research papers
Original unpublished research. Empirical, theoretical, conceptual, methodological, or policy focused. Maximum six pages including references.
Extended abstracts
Suitable for emerging research, postgraduate work, pilot studies, or conceptual papers still under development. 300 to 500 words.
Practice and case study reports
Practical innovations, institutional experiences, teaching interventions, assessment redesign, or AI implementation cases. Maximum four pages.
Panel and workshop proposals
Proposed discussion panels, practical demonstrations, or capacity-building workshops. Maximum one page with clear purpose and outcomes.
Guest and keynote speaker proposals
Apply or nominate a speaker. Include a short speaker profile, institutional affiliation, proposed topic, and abstract of not more than 300 words.
Important dates
Key deadlines to note
All deadlines are based on South African Standard Time (UTC+2). Mark these dates in your calendar now.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for papers, abstracts and guest speaker nominations opens | 10 July 2026 |
| Abstract or extended summary submission deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Guest and keynote speaker nomination deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Notification of acceptance | 10 August 2026 |
| Full paper or final presentation submission deadline | 25 August 2026 |
| Registration deadline | 5 September 2026 |
| Conference dates | 16 – 20 September 2026 |
Registration
Register and submit your abstract
Join academics, researchers, and higher education practitioners from across Africa and beyond for five days of scholarly exchange, debate, and practical AI skills development in Durban.
- Full five-day conference access
- Paper presentation and keynote sessions
- GenAI capacity-building workshops
- Full-day practical workshops on days 4 and 5
- Conference materials and proceedings
- Networking with international academics and practitioners
Submit abstract or register
Complete the form below and our team will follow up with full registration and submission details.
Be part of the conversation that shapes higher education
Abstract submissions close 31 July 2026. Don't miss the opportunity to present your research at an international platform dedicated to AI in academia.