YOUR GO-TO INTELLIGENCE RESOURCE FOR THE SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING INDUSTRY

Jisc has announced a new two-year collaboration with Google aimed at helping universities and colleges adopt artificial intelligence (AI) more effectively and at scale. The initiative was unveiled during Google’s Higher Education Leader Series event, The Science & Strategy of the AI-Powered University.

The partnership is designed to support higher and further education institutions as they move beyond AI experimentation toward broader, sustainable implementation. It will focus on developing institutional capabilities, strengthening governance practices, and helping organizations evaluate the impact of AI on teaching, learning, research, and student services.

By combining Google's AI expertise with Jisc's experience in digital transformation, governance, and sector engagement, the organizations plan to deliver a range of activities, including workshops, webinars, leadership forums, practitioner communities, and knowledge-sharing programs. These activities will cover technologies such as Google Gemini, NotebookLM, and related AI tools.

As part of the agreement, Jisc will also introduce a dedicated reseller framework for Google Workspace for Education. The framework is intended to provide higher and further education institutions with a structured procurement route and broader access to selected Google partners. In addition to software licensing, the initiative will support institutions in exploring opportunities related to AI, cloud technologies, teaching and learning, research, and operational efficiency. Findings from the initial phase will help shape Jisc’s future strategy for supporting members' digital transformation needs.

Jisc and Google are currently working with institutions to establish the first cohort of participants. The group will include organizations of varying sizes, sectors, and levels of AI maturity. According to the organizations, the cohort will explore practical approaches to responsible AI adoption, identify challenges, share experiences, and evaluate outcomes for students, educators, researchers, and administrative staff.

The initiative will also involve ongoing engagement with institutional leaders, practitioner communities, and collaborative evidence-gathering efforts. Insights from the first cohort are expected to inform future participation, sector guidance, and long-term approaches to AI adoption across education and research.

Google stated that the partnership is intended to support digital transformation in higher and further education institutions across the UK and Ireland. The company emphasized two priorities: increasing awareness that eligible institutions can access its education-focused AI tools, including Gemini for Education and Gemini Notebook, at no additional cost, and providing a structured framework for institutions seeking enhanced productivity and AI capabilities through commercial licensing arrangements.

The first participating institutions are expected to contribute to a collaborative community focused on promoting responsible, equitable, and sustainable AI adoption throughout the UK education and research sector.