Responsible Generative AI in Higher Education: From Experimentation to Structured Student Support

Generative AI is rapidly entering higher education, yet much of its use remains
informal and insufficiently governed. While these technologies offer opportunities to enhance student learning, employability, and personalised feedback, they also raise important questions around privacy, transparency, academic integrity, and human oversight. This presentation explores how higher education can move from ad hoc experimentation towards more structured and responsible approaches to Generative AI adoption. Drawing on two applied case studies developed within Computing, AI and Cyber Security at Canterbury Christ Church University, the session examines the design and evaluation of AI-supported employability tools. The first is a privacy preserving interview training system using locally deployed large language models to provide personalised coaching while maintaining institutional control over data (Azhar & Cardwell, 2025). The second is a GDPR-compliant AI-supported CV development system designed to enhance student readiness for automated recruitment processes through transparent and accessible feedback (Azhar, 2025). The session aligns with the Ethical and Human-Centred AI in Higher Education theme by focusing on responsible AI deployment, explainability, and human oversight. It also addresses Assessment, Feedback, and Authentic Learning through AI-supported formative feedback and reflective employability development. Delegates will gain practical insights into implementing AI-supported student services responsibly, including considerations around governance, accessibility, privacy, and AI literacy. The presentation will share lessons learned from developing and evaluating privacy-aware AI systems and introduce a practical framework for supporting student success through ethical and human-centred AI adoption. Audience engagement will be supported through discussion of implementation challenges, ethical considerations, and opportunities for responsible AI integration within higher education.