Abstract:

This paper presents the outcomes and pedagogical insights from the 'Work Dignity with GenAI for Students and Staff' Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), which took place in Portugal in June 2025, as part of the Erasmus+ ACE2EU network. This five-day initiative brought together academic staff and students from seven European institutions to explore the role of generative AI (GenAI) in developing digital skills, ethical research practices and inclusive education in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

Through a combination of keynote lectures, practical workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the BIP addressed key themes such as AI literacy, research integrity, and the future of digital work. Participants engaged with cutting-edge tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and the multilingual chatbot aggregator ARTIFIGEN platform for critical AI output analysis, while also reflecting on the ethical, cultural, and pedagogical implications of AI. Sessions focused on AI-assisted CV creation, multimodal learning design, videogram development, and empathy-driven communication in digital contexts.

Evaluation data indicated high participant satisfaction, particularly with regard to the programme's societal and cultural relevance. The BIP's design integrates hands-on learning with cross-sectoral dialogue and cultural immersion, and it can be used as a model to foster digital readiness, critical thinking, and ethical innovation in international higher education. This contribution reflects on strategies to empower learners and educators to navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI-enhanced education.

Keywords:

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Digital Literacy, Ethical AI Use, Higher Education Innovation.