Appropriate Guardrails for AGI: The Crucial Role of Universities
The Digital Education For Impact Alliance (DEFIA) is planning its first in-person general meeting on 15 October 2026 at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. The event titled “Appropriate Guardrails for AGI: The crucial role of universities” will focus in on the role of universities in establishing appropriate guardrails for the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Attendance for this event is by invitation only.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming education, research, public governance and economic development. As AI systems become increasingly capable and influential, universities have a critical role to play in ensuring that their development and deployment remain aligned with human values, scientific integrity, democratic principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Hosted by the University of Coimbra within the framework of the Digital Education for Impact Alliance (DEFIA), this high-level dialogue will bring together universities, international organisations, governments, technology leaders and civil society to explore how higher education institutions can contribute to shaping appropriate guardrails for advanced Artificial Intelligence and future Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Building on recent international initiatives on AI governance, safety and trustworthy AI, the Coimbra meeting aims to connect global dialogue with concrete action, exploring both the impact of AI on universities and what universities, faculty and students can do to help ensure that the further development of AI benefits society as a whole.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The Coimbra meeting is designed to translate dialogue into concrete educational, institutional and societal action through the DEFIA initiative.
Expected outcomes include:
Recommendations on the role of universities in responsible AI governance, reflecting the key messages emerging from the international dialogue;
Identification of priority areas for DEFIA’s 2027 work programme, providing a basis for continued international collaboration;
Formal launch of the DEFIA Portugal Network, strengthening national cooperation between Portuguese higher education institutions;
Adoption and signing of the Portuguese National Statement on Responsible AI in Higher Education;
Strengthening of the global DEFIA Alliance, including the formal announcement of SEE Institute as a GeSI-DEFIA Co-Founder from 2027.
AGENDA & NEXT STEPS
DEFIA is very excited to he hosting this inaugural event. For any member or organisation attending, below you will find several supporting documents, including the agenda of the event & a package with information on how to get to event, local accommodation & dining options & other useful supporting information. Links to the Agenda & Supporting Guides can be found here: