TLDR: The IEEE Academic–Industry Tech Dialogue (AITD2025), held on August 5, 2025, at the University of Greater Manchester, focused on how strategic mentorship and student-led leadership are driving breakthroughs in AI policy and digital infrastructure. The event showcased a significant shift in institutional approaches to digital policy, emphasizing a new four-step AI literacy framework developed through collaborative efforts.
The IEEE Academic–Industry Tech Dialogue (AITD2025), convened on August 5, 2025, at the University of Greater Manchester, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital policy, particularly concerning Artificial Intelligence. Under the theme “AI and Digital Infrastructure: The Role of Thought Leaders in Public Policy,” the forum highlighted a transformative shift in how institutions are approaching digital policy, moving away from top-down mandates towards a model driven by structured mentorship, civic engagement, and student-led innovation.
At the forefront of this groundbreaking event was Oluwadarasimi Kalejaye, Chair of the IEEE Computer Society (University Branch). Kalejaye’s leadership was instrumental in designing and delivering the program, which centered on the university’s newly adopted four-step AI literacy framework. This framework, publicly debated and tested during the dialogue, is now recognized as the university’s flagship approach to AI readiness and digital ethics.
“This dialogue wasn’t about theory—it was implementation planning in real time,” stated Kalejaye. “We needed to ensure that academic insight translated into tangible action, and that students were part of shaping the AI future, not just reacting to it.”
The origins of this innovative framework can be traced back to a significant intervention in 2024 by Uchenna Victor Moses, a UK-based digital transformation expert. At the Next Generation AI Conference, Moses challenged institutions to abandon reactive AI bans in favor of structured digital literacy and ethical onboarding. His advocacy directly spurred the institutional rethink that culminated in the AI framework’s debut at AITD2025. Moses returned to the 2025 forum not only as a panellist but also as Advisory Co-Organiser, providing strategic mentorship to Kalejaye.
Professor Celestine Iwendi, a globally recognized authority on AI ethics, further bolstered the event’s credibility by joining as a senior advisor. His presence offered critical scholarly support, signaling the forum’s academic and policy seriousness to stakeholders.
Uchenna Victor Moses emphasized the broader implications of the dialogue, stating, “This is no longer just an event. It’s a blueprint for how institutional reform can be driven by civic thinking, student agency, and intentional collaboration.” He further added, “What matters is not just who speaks, but how structures are built to sustain impact. This dialogue is proof that mentorship, when intentional, can transform participation into policy.”
Also Read:
- SIGGRAPH 2025 to Feature Groundbreaking AI Discussions and Innovations
- Catawba County Schools Fosters AI Literacy Through Innovative Prompt-a-Thon Event
The AITD2025 has since been cited within the University of Greater Manchester as a working model for AI governance and student-institution collaboration. It powerfully demonstrated how emerging leaders, when supported by structured mentorship and anchored in academic legitimacy, can significantly influence decisions with national implications. The event stands as a testament to a new form of leadership—youthful, informed, and policy-aware—capable of driving profound change within and beyond academic spheres.
