By Jakob Elkjær, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Aalborg University

Aalborg University (AAU) is introducing systematic competence development for the university's teaching staff with a focus on AI in teaching. All professors and associate professors are included in ongoing competence development that involves 30 hours of university pedagogical competence development over three years. The Executive Management of Aalborg University has granted just over DKK 8.4 million in new funds until 2029 for this initiative. Thereafter, AAU allocates an annual extra grant of DKK 3.7 million for ongoing competence improvement.

"AI is changing the conditions for learning. We emphasize quality in teaching and want to equip our students for a present and future with AI. We have therefore now drawn up a systematic plan for lifelong learning for all members of the teaching staff," says Anne Marie Kanstrup, Pro-rector for Education.

Management has a responsibility

Anne Marie Kanstrup explains that the university has talented researchers who are constantly developing their skills and are actively engaged in how AI is evolving in their fields. But she also adds that technological development is going so fast that there needs to be managerial focus on continuous competence development and joint learning throughout the organization.

"Since 2024, we have continuously invested in new AI technologies. At the same time, we have conducted extensive investigations on the use of AI at the university. And we know that there are grey areas that mean that some of our teachers and students may be unsure of how to relate to and use AI in the classroom. We are now addressing this by expanding our organizational learning capacity with focused and systematic competence development for everyone," says Anne Marie Kanstrup. 

The investment includes more than 1000 researchers

Starting in 2027, the university will strengthen its efforts with the appointment of more pedagogical consultants who, in conjunction with learning researchers at AAU, will be responsible for the development and implementation of the many new activities with a focus on AI and problem-based learning (PBL). The initiative will be phased in gradually: the ambition is to go from educating 40 percent of staff in 2027 to include all associate professors and professors in 2029.

Starting in 2024, AAU expanded AI capacity for both researchers and students in AI labs and by continuously introducing new technology. Also, all curricula and exam formats were reviewed to ensure that they met the challenges posed by new AI technologies. In 2025, the university carried out a major investigation that showed that generative AI has become a natural part of student and research life: Eighty percent of the students assessed that technology can facilitate their learning. At the same time, both students and teachers expressed that they were unsure of the rules of the game, and several students feared being accused of cheating in exams.

"The development is fast. We must constantly adapt in terms of integrating AI into education.  We are now investing in competence development so that members of our teaching staff are even better equipped to include AI in our problem-based learning model," says Anne Marie Kanstrup.

In addition to AI and PBL, the university points out that systematic investment in pedagogical competence development must also help to raise the general quality of teaching and strengthen the recognition of researchers' teaching competences.