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Attila Brungs, UNSW Vice Chancellor, Says AI Will Liberate Universities

Australian Financial Review

ENRICHED

Details

Date Published
22 June 2026
Priority Score
2
Australian
Yes
Created
21 June 2026, 08:01 pm

Authors (1)

Description

Attila Brungs says AI is not a threat as UNSW launches $67,000 “applied degrees” to fast-track career-focused training in business and software.

Summary

UNSW Vice Chancellor Attila Brungs argues that artificial intelligence acts as a tool for liberation by automating administrative tasks and basic research, allowing academics to prioritize high-level problem-solving. The university has initiated mandatory AI integration into assessments to align educational outcomes with shifting workforce requirements in the age of frontier technology. While the focus remains on economic and educational productivity, the discourse reflects a broader institutional push toward rapid AI adoption within Australian critical infrastructure. This approach emphasizes capability adaptation over the mitigation of catastrophic safety risks or existential concerns associated with advanced AI systems.

Body

Work & CareersEducationUniversityPrint articleMaani TruuEducation correspondentJun 22, 2026 – 5.00amAcademics should delegate grunt work and basic research insights to artificial intelligence, the vice chancellor of Australia’s top-ranked university said, urging educators to refocus on teaching deep thinking and problem-solving.The University of NSW boss, Attila Brungs, said the university had begun embedding mandatory AI use into some assessments to ensure students were equipped for the changing workforce.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreUniversityUniversity rankingsSoftwareAIJobsSkills shortageUniversity of New South WalesFetching latest articles