Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • NATURE INDEX

Will young universities set the pace in the age of AI?

Why some institutions are betting on technology to stay relevant.
By
  1. Bec Crew

    1. Senior editor, Nature Index

Illustration in an abstract modern style, of buildings, people, and trees. Coloured in bright blue on a black background.

Illustration: Spooky Pooka

Universities are facing mounting challenges. From falling enrolments to dwindling support from populist governments, many institutions are in survival mode. Throw AI into the mix as a possible solution, and it’s either a lifeline or a distraction, depending on whom you ask.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 648, S91 (2025)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-03949-x

This article is part of Nature Index 2025 Young universities, an editorially independent supplement. Advertisers have no influence over the content. For more information about Nature Index, see the homepage.

Subjects

Latest on:

Nature Careers

Jobs

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing

Search

Advanced search

Quick links