Published on October 9, 2025
Delhi, India
The EY-Parthenon–FICCI report, “Future-Ready Campuses: Unlocking the Power of AI in Higher Education,” surveys 30 leading Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) to assess AI’s evolution from experimental use to core integration in teaching, administration, and curriculum design. Released in October 2025, it underscores the creation of “AI-enabled knowledge ecosystems” while advocating for robust governance to balance innovation and risks.
- Key Highlights:
- Focuses on AI’s transformative role in enhancing learning, faculty productivity, and institutional operations.
- Emphasizes embedding AI literacy across disciplines to prepare graduates as innovators.
- Calls for scaling beyond pilots to widespread adoption amid India’s push for global AI leadership.
Key Statistics on AI Adoption
The report provides a snapshot of rapid AI integration, with significant majorities of HEIs adopting tools for enhanced efficiency and student support.
- Permission for AI Tools: Over 60% of HEIs allow students to use AI tools in academic activities.
- Generative AI Usage: 53% of institutions employ generative AI to create learning materials.
- AI Deployments:
- 40% have implemented AI-powered tutoring systems and chatbots for on-demand support.
- 39% utilize adaptive learning platforms to personalize education.
- 38% leverage AI for automated grading and assessment.
- Policy Framework: More than 56% of HEIs have established dedicated AI-related policies to guide ethical and effective use.
Integration in Teaching and Learning
AI is weaving into curricula and operations, fostering skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and ethical AI awareness across humanities, business, sciences, and STEM programs.
- Curriculum Enhancements: AI supports automated grading, plagiarism detection, adaptive tutoring, and dynamic curriculum design.
- Foundational AI literacy recommended for all disciplines, covering concepts, ethics, and applications.
- Advanced STEM integration includes machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics in core courses.
- Faculty and Student Benefits: Tools aid in material preparation, provide real-time assistance, and promote understanding of data privacy and algorithmic bias.
- Broader Impact: Positions graduates to innovate with AI, boosting employability in a tech-driven economy.
Challenges and Recommendations
While progress is evident, gaps in readiness and infrastructure pose hurdles, necessitating targeted investments.
- Key Challenges:
- Uneven faculty training and digital infrastructure development.
- Ensuring AI enhances human learning without compromising integrity.
- Managing risks through coherent governance models.
- Recommendations:
- Invest in comprehensive faculty upskilling and upgraded tech infrastructure.
- Scale AI across operations while embedding literacy in every subject.
- Develop institutional policies for balanced, ethical deployment.
Future Outlook
The report envisions Indian HEIs leading global AI innovation by 2030, with scaled adoption driving knowledge ecosystems and economic growth. As Avantika Tomar, Partner and Education Sector Leader at EY-Parthenon India, notes, India must “move beyond experimentation to scale” AI integration to stay at the forefront.
- Strategic Imperatives: Prioritize governance, cross-disciplinary AI education, and public-private partnerships for sustainable transformation.
