Digital Education Council Establishes Center of Excellence for AI in Teaching and Learning in Collaboration with Columbia Engineering and the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning

NEW YORK — September 12, 2026 — The Digital Education Council (DEC) today announced the launch of the DEC Center of Excellence for AI in Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (Columbia Engineering) and the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).

The Center will bring together DEC’s global higher education community and leverage Columbia’s academic and pedagogical expertise to develop applied research and professional learning that help institutions translate advances in AI into teaching practice. 

The announcement was made at the inaugural DEC Leadership Summit Americas, hosted at Columbia University.

“AI is raising new questions about how we teach, what students need to learn and how institutions support faculty through that change. The Center creates a long-term space for DEC in collaboration with Columbia and our partner universities around the world to work on those questions together, connecting research with the realities of teaching and learning across institutions,” said Alessandro Di Lullo, Chief Executive Officer of DEC.

“Our members are looking for practical evidence and support as they adapt teaching and learning for AI. Through this Center, we can bring together perspectives from across the DEC community with Columbia and our other university partners’ academic and pedagogical expertise, and turn that shared work into research and professional learning that can be used across higher education,” said Danny Bielik, President of DEC.

“AI is changing both what we teach and how students learn, and higher education needs practical, research-informed ways to respond. Through this collaboration with DEC and universities around the world, Columbia Engineering faculty will join a global community of educators and researchers to explore how AI can strengthen teaching and learning and help prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” said Soulaymane Kachani, Dean of Academic Affairs & Global Partnerships and Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at Columbia Engineering.

“Teaching and learning are most powerful when they are grounded in thoughtful pedagogy, evidence, and reflection. We are excited to participate in this collaboration and contribute to shared knowledge about how AI can be used purposefully to enhance learning, support instructors, and help institutions make informed choices about emerging educational technologies,” said Amanda Irvin, Executive Director of the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning.

The Center's initial work will focus on translating research into practical support for higher education. It will develop research examining how AI is reshaping engineering and computer science education. Alongside this research, the Center will also produce flagship online courses that give educators and professionals practical, discipline-specific guidance for teaching with and about AI.

These initiatives will form the first part of a broader programme of research and professional learning developed through the Center.

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About the Digital Education Council

The Digital Education Council is a global community of practice connecting higher education leaders and innovators working on digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the future of work, reaching over 200 member universities and institutions across six continents. More information is available at digitaleducationcouncil.com.

About the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (Columbia Engineering)‍

Since 1864, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University has been a resource to the world for major advances in human progress. Today, Columbia Engineering is a global leader in engineering education, research, and impact. Located in the heart of New York City, the school convenes more than 250 faculty members and 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students to push the frontiers of knowledge and solve humanity’s most pressing problems.

About the Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning‍

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) partners with faculty, students, and colleagues across the University to support excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. The CTL is committed to advancing the culture of teaching and learning at Columbia through all of its programs, services, and resources. The CTL understands teaching as a critical practice, driven by inquiry, experimentation, reflection, and collaboration.