Digital Education Council

DEC was established in March 2024 in response to the increasing integration of AI in education and the need for collaboration among academic institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers. The Council was founded to provide a structured platform offering practical resources for universities, colleges and organisations to discuss AI governance, digital skills development, and policy frameworks for AI in education. DEC is led by an executive team and experts from higher education and industry, guiding its strategic initiatives and direction. Alessandro Di Lullo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Education Council and Danny Bielik serves as its President. == Activities ==

Digital Education Council Global Summit DEC organises an annual summit that brings together leaders from higher education, government, and industry. The inaugural Digital Education Council Global Summit was held in November 2024 at Singapore Management University.The programme included sessions on governance and AI in education, and featured keynote speaker Gabriele Mazzini, lead author of the European Union AI Act. The 2025 Digital Education Council Global Summit will be held at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from 4 to 5 November 2025. Research and Surveys In 2024, DEC conducted a Global AI Student Survey exploring how students use generative AI tools. The findings indicated widespread use of platforms such as ChatGPT in academic settings. The survey's findings were reported by Ernst & Young Global Limited, Forbes, Times Higher Education (THE), Campus Technology, and Grammarly.'''' In 2025, DEC published a Global AI Faculty Survey, capturing input from faculty members across 28 countries on topics including academic integrity, assessment, and institutional preparedness. The results were discussed in publications such as THE and Jisc's monthly review of AI in education. Executive Briefings DEC hosts monthly Executive Briefings that explore topics such as AI regulation, teaching and learning innovation, institutional strategy, and sustainability. The briefings aim to provide decision-makers with practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and peer learning opportunities. The Financial Times cited one of DEC's briefings in its analysis of evolving cost structures in online business education. == Membership ==

As of October 2025, the DEC includes more than 130 institutional members from 31 countries. Member institutions include research universities, business schools, polytechnics, and vocational education providers. Founding members include: • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology • Bocconi University • ESADE • Melbourne Business School • Singapore Management University • Tecnológico De Monterrey • Wits Business School Strategic partners include: • Pearson Education Limited Notable members include: • Carnegie Mellon University • University of California Berkeley • University of Toronto • Fudan University • King's College London • Imperial Business School • The University of Hong Kong • The University of British Columbia • The University of Queensland • New York University • Duke University • Bendigo TAFE-Kangan Institute • Aalto University School of Business • Amity University Online • Zayed University • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University • Corvinus University of Budapest • Austin Community College District • Ateneo de Manila University • EDHEC Business School • Stellenbosch University • African Leadership University • ESSEC Business School • NEOMA Business School == References ==