Should We Ban AI in Higher Education?
An Oxford-style stage debate on AI in Higher Education.
Students are already using GenAI to study, write, code (and cheat, oops!), while universities struggle to redefine teaching, assessment, and academic integrity to adequately prepare students. What is the solution? An outright ban?
This Oxford-style debate presents two opposing views on one controversial motion: “This House Believes That AI should never be used within Higher Education.” We’re bringing a philosopher, computer scientists, a policy expert, and your fellow students together to go head-to-head! Join us to hear their views, share your own, and vote for which arguments you find the most compelling!
"Should We Ban AI in Higher Education?" has been co-organized by Young AI Leaders Linz and the FWF Cluster of Excellence Knowledge in Crisis, in partnership with Blue Danube Speakers (Toastmasters Linz) and the FWF Cluster of Excellence Bilateral AI.
Our Expert Speaker Lineup
Bram van Haver is the lead Project Officer for UNESCO's flagship global intercultural leadership programme, "Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme".
Dr. Tim Crane is Special Advisor to the Rector and Professor of Philosophy at CEU, Director of Research at the FWF Cluster of Excellence Knowledge in Crisis, and former Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge.
Anamaria-Roberta Hartl is a PhD candidate at the JKU's Institute for Machine Learning and a member of the Bilateral Artificial Intelligence (BilAI) project, an FWF Cluster of Excellence.
Dr. Erich Kobler is Assistant Professor for Machine/ Deep Learning in Medical Imaging at the JKU's Institute for Machine Learning and a member of the Bilateral Artificial Intelligence (BilAI) project, an FWF Cluster of Excellence.
Want to Debate on Stage?
This topic impacts students directly; your voice is essential for this debate! That's why we're looking for 2 student speakers to join our expert panel at Zirkus des Wissens.
Selected students will deliver a 5-minute prepared speech arguing on either side of the motion alongside our experts for a live audience.
Private trainings, live practice opportunities, helpful resources, and expert guidance will be provided for through our official event partner: The Blue Danube Speakers Club Linz (a Toastmasters club).
We have two slots reserved for motivated students to fill out our final roster. To secure a spot, develop a clear, original, and engaging speech proposal whether philosophical, technical, practical, provocative, or based on your own experience with AI and university life, and submit it here by Friday, 25 September 2026.