> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # πŸ“Š 68% of students see AI as a positive force. πŸ—½ Join us in NYC β€” Back to School turns 25. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/68-of-students-see-ai-as-a-positive-force-join-us-in-nyc-back-to-school-turns-25/ - Published: 2026-07-14T00:07:02.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-14T00:07:02.000Z - Description: New data on student and academic AI sentiment, plus BTS NYC's 25th; discount code inside. - Author: QS - Tags: AI & Digital Innovation **Hello** πŸ‘‹ QS's new data shows 68% of students and 74% of academics [believe Generative AI plays a positive role in society](https://www.qs.com/insights/generative-ai-higher-education-academic-student-perspectives?ref=newsletters.qs.com#Key%20findings), with the strongest optimism reported in Asia Pacific. That same unevenness in how AI gets taken up is showing up at the system level too: Armenia is handing [every university free ChatGPT Edu and Codex access](https://www.edtechinnovationhub.com/news/armenia-prepares-rollout-of-50000-chatgpt-edu-and-codex-subscriptions?ref=newsletters.qs.com), the UAE has [branded a national AI education push](https://www.zawya.com/ar/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%B3%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-oxazcf40?ref=newsletters.qs.com) as Project NOVA, and Germany's University of Digital Science just partnered with Uzbekistan's National University to extend [AI education across Central Asia](https://www.mynewsdesk.com/german-uds/pressreleases/german-university-of-digital-science-signs-mou-with-national-university-of-uzbekistan-to-advance-ai-and-digital-education-in-central-asia-3456890?ref=newsletters.qs.com). Underneath the regional spread, students and academics are more aligned than not, both want clearer guidance on acceptable use and training in how to use AI professionally and ethically, rather than restriction. The [Generative AI in Higher Education report](https://www.qs.com/insights/generative-ai-higher-education-academic-student-perspectives?ref=newsletters.qs.com#Key%20findings) breaks down that regional and stakeholder picture in more depth, including where the gaps are widest. [Download the Report](https://www.qs.com/insights/generative-ai-higher-education-academic-student-perspectives?ref=newsletters.qs.com#Key%20findings) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/07/1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/07/3.png) Source: QS Innovation πŸ‘‰ For more insights on innovation and technology in the education market, go to the [QS Analytics Platform](https://my.holoniq.com/?ref=newsletters.qs.com&%5F%5Fhstc=250154073.9814b361c2fd61a99b1e7cc1b3edf011.1762927473482.1766142400196.1767783751938.11&%5F%5Fhssc=250154073.13.1767783751938&%5F%5Fhsfp=832813272) or [request a demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=250154073.9814b361c2fd61a99b1e7cc1b3edf011.1762927473482.1766142400196.1767783751938.11&%5F%5Fhssc=250154073.13.1767783751938&%5F%5Fhsfp=832813272&ref=newsletters.qs.com) to learn more. --- ### πŸ“ Upcoming Education Innovation Events | Event | Date | Action | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 🀝 **Webinar: Partner or Perishβ€”Collaboration as Strategy for Higher Ed** | 1 Sept, 16:00 BST | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/partner-or-perish-collaboration-as-a-growth-strategy-for-higher-education?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | πŸ—½ **25th Annual 'Back to School' Summit, NYC**⏰ Don't miss your chance β€” tickets are selling out. | 15–17 Sept | [**Register today β†’**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | πŸ† **QS Reimagine Education Awards β€” Submissions Open**⏰ Entry deadline 31 July. | Deadline 31 July | [**Apply now β†’**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine/apply?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | πŸ“… **QS Reimagine Education 2026, London**⏰ Early bird runs to 31 Oct. | 7–8 Dec | [**Register today β†’**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | πŸ—“οΈ **2026 Innovation Webinar Series** | On-demand + live | [Browse all](https://www.qs.com/webinars?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | ## πŸ—½ **Back to School turns 25 and the agenda keeps expanding** [**The 25th Annual Back to School Summit**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) hits New York City September 15–17, bringing together policymakers, investors, and education leaders across three tracks: Postsecondary Education & Workforce Futures, Technology & Finance, and Impact & Outcomes. On the program: - QS CEO Jessica Turner opens with a look at the decade ahead, followed by first-look data from the QS World Future Skills Index - [Jeff Selingo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffselingo/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) on what value means in higher ed now - BMO's [Jeff Silber](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-silber-3970b91?ref=newsletters.qs.com) returns with his annual capital markets read - A global panel β€” on the policy discussion over screen time in schools with [Erin Mote ](https://www.innovateedunyc.org/erin-mote?ref=newsletters.qs.com)(InnovateEdu) and other global voices. - A closer look at AI and how far universities have really moved from experimentation to practice - Conversation on innovation, human capital, and the future of learning by leaders such as [Philip Moyer](https://www.qs.com/people/philip-moyer?ref=newsletters.qs.com) of McGraw Hill; - Education and Workforce Policy Briefings - and more... agenda update coming soon. [**Register today**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **and save 20%** **with code BTSADS20** [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/07/MAR-107355-BTS_General-Announcement.jpg)](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- ## πŸ’‘Your innovation deserves to be seen! Apply to the Reimagine Education Awards [Applications are open](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine/apply?ref=newsletters.qs.com) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/07/image.png)](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine/apply?ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- ## ⭐ **AI & Digital Innovation Spotlight** Technology companies and governments are embedding AI directly into classroom tools, access programs, and labour market systems, extending AI's role from a learning subject into active educational infrastructure. πŸ–₯️ **Google**[ **unveiled a suite of new teacher-led AI-powered education tools**](https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/education/iste-2026-educator-updates/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), to create personalized study guides, adaptive quiz prep, and curriculum-informed learning experiences. 🀝 **Armenia's Ministry of Education**[ **partnered with OpenAI and Firebird**](https://armenpress.am/en/article/1253791?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **to distribute around 50,000 free ChatGPT Edu subscriptions** to the country's educational, engineering, and research communities. πŸ“Š **California**[ **launched the nation's first public AI-Unemployment Tracker**](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/06/25/california-becomes-the-first-state-to-launch-a-tool-to-monitor-and-track-artificial-intelligences-impacts-on-the-workforce/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), a early warning dashboard that links unemployment insurance claims to occupational AI-exposure data. --- ## **🀝 Policy & Partnerships** Governments are formalizing national AI strategies and embedding AI into school systems at scale, treating AI literacy and workforce readiness as sovereign policy priorities. πŸ—ΊοΈ **Canada**[ **launched its AI for All national strategy**](https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/06/04/prime-minister-carney-launches-ai-all-canadas-new-national-artificial?ref=newsletters.qs.com), a five-year plan targeting $200B economic growth and 250,000 new AI-related jobs, a National AI Literacy initiative, and investment in sovereign computing. 🏫 **China's State Council**[ **released a five-year blueprint**](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-29/china-pushes-all-school-levels-to-teach-ai-in-xi-s-tech-drive?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **mandating AI education** to make AI a core competency for every student and strengthen the country's pipeline of high-tech talent. βš™οΈ **The UAE Ministry of Education**[ **launched Project Nova**](https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/uae-education-ministry-launches-ai-driven-nova-transformation-project-1.500586809?ref=newsletters.qs.com)**,** an AI initiative designed to reduce administrative workloads for teachers, deliver personalised learning, and improve the efficiency of decision-making across the education system. ## πŸ’ͺ **Power Moves & Funding** **Deal activity this week split between scale consolidation in assessment and international K-12, and smaller capability acquisitions**. 🏫 KKR [acquired](https://www.binance.com/en-IN/square/post/02-23-2026-kkr-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-xcl-for-1-3-billion-294628692196433?ref=newsletters.qs.com) a majority stake in XCL, a Southeast Asian school operator, in a deal valued at $1.3 billion. πŸ“š Uplimit was [acquired](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/julia-stiglitz-0255526%5Fa-new-chapter-for-uplimit-weve-been-acquired-share-7477750176003026944-pT6U/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) by Handshake to enhance its online learning capabilities for its early-career platform. πŸ§ͺ ETS [acquired](https://www.ets.org/newsroom/ets-acquires-act.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ACT, bringing two of the largest US assessment and testing organizations under common ownership. πŸ”— Plan Forward, an edtech startup, was [acquired](https://technical.ly/entrepreneurship/plan-forward-linkit-edtech-acquisition/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) by LinkIt, consolidating its tools into one data and assessment platform. [Demo the QS Analytics Platform](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?ref=newsletters.qs.com)