Imagining the Digital Future Center

The Imagining the Digital Future Center is a research initiative of Elon University focused on the impact of the digital revolution and the future of the ever-deepening relationship between humans and machines. The Center was established in 2000 and renamed with an expanded research agenda in 2024. Its mission is to discover and broadly share a diverse range of opinions, ideas and original research about the likely evolution of digital change, informing important conversations and policy formation. See links to all research reports

Curation

Student Guide to AI cover photo

Collaboration Project: Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence

In August 2024, Imagining the Digital Future released the first edition of the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence in partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). The guide, titled “AI-U/v1.0,” was developed with the collaboration and review of faculty, scholars, academic leaders and students at universities around the world. The guide is available free to all students and institutions, who may use, distribute and adapt its content under a Creative Commons license. “This guide was written from the student perspective and includes practical advice on using AI responsibly while in college and preparing for the AI future,” said Elon University President Connie Book.

Photo of Imagining the Digital Future session at IGF 2023.

Collaboration Project: Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Imagining the Digital Future is coordinating a global effort to to help guide development of artificial intelligence policies and practices in higher education. More than 140 higher education organizations, administrators, researchers and faculty members from 47 countries have collaborated to create a position statement with six guiding principles. The statement was released at the 18th annual United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kyoto, Japan. Learn more on the initiative’s website.