The transformation of higher education was at the center of the discussions at the CIEE Ahead Forum—Higher Education, held during Bett Brasil 2026. For the first time in partnership with the Center for Business-School Integration (CIEE), the event highlighted the role of academic institutions in providing education aligned with the demands of the labor market.

One of the Forum’s panels addressed how advances in artificial intelligence in higher education are already taking shape in concrete applications that are gaining ground in the education market, such as platforms that personalize learning paths, systems that analyze academic performance in real time, virtual assistants to support students, and tools that help professors create content.

For Andrea Paiva, director of graduate studies at FIAP, artificial intelligence has been part of the academic structure for some time, but what has changed now is the scale. According to her, most of the institution’s programs already incorporate the use of AI in some way, whether in the curriculum or in the platform’s technical resources. Still, the director emphasizes that this advancement requires responsibility and understanding.

“At the end of the day, we need to educate people to think critically and to be competent and efficient, and that’s not the role of AI—it’s the role of the teacher,” he said.

Heloisa Avilez, Pearson’s Director of Higher Education for Latin America, spoke about the company’s investments in tools that encourage students to ask questions, organize content into digital libraries, and create personalized learning paths.

According to the expert, the push to develop this type of technology came after conducting research at educational institutions in countries such as Mexico and Colombia. “We asked our clients in those countries what they expected from a technology tool designed for education, and the most frequently cited points were: reducing dropout rates, the need to increase student retention, and improving academic performance. Based on that, we began to enhance our innovation platform,” she said.

Despite this progress, the debate was also marked by concerns about the future of work and fears that professionals would be replaced by artificial intelligence. However, according to experts, the role of the teacher remains central and takes precedence over any technology.

“Innovation expands possibilities, but it does not replace the human capacity for mediation, critical analysis, and knowledge-building,” emphasized Fabiane Franciscone, president of UniSenai Paraná. According to her, without strategic planning, the adoption of technology can lead to negative consequences, such as excessive dependence on technology, cyber threats, and data breaches.

“We are navigating all these changes that have been taking place, and this requires investment and good managers to make decisions. We must allow ourselves to experiment with and use this technology, but we must do so thoughtfully and intentionally,” he emphasized.

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Another key topic on the first day of the CIEE Ahead Forum—Higher Education was the role of universities as drivers of innovation through initiatives such as Corporate Venture Capital (CVC).

This movement aims to reposition higher education institutions as key players in the innovation ecosystem. Rather than simply educating students, universities are now acting as hubs that connect startups, companies, and investors. Even so, the Brazilian landscape is still in its early stages.

“In Brazil’s higher education market, only three institutions have taken the risk of establishing Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) initiatives out of a total of more than 2,000 educational institutions,” said Jeferson Vinhas Ferreira, CEO and vice-rector of Grupo Integrado.

The Paraná-based institution is an example of this trend. With an initial fund of R$ 5 million, established with support from the Founders Club, the group directs investments toward startups in the agribusiness, technology, and healthcare sectors.

Another example comes from the Marist Group, which created Rosey Ventures, a fund that plans to invest R$ 30 million in early-stage startups, particularly edtech and healthtech companies. According to Rosey Ventures director Guilherme Skaf Amorim, the fund seeks to create synergy with the group’s units, such as FTD Educação and PUCPR, thereby consolidating a model in which innovation and business go hand in hand.

The strategy reflects a rationale that goes beyond financial returns. “CVC’s core objective is to make the operation profitable, but one of the key factors is the strategic fit and the business connection with the group,” Amorim noted.

By bringing together discussions on innovation, technology, and employability, the CIEE Ahead Forum highlighted a higher education system in the midst of transition—one that is more connected to the job market, data-driven, and powered by new technologies, yet still grounded in the irreplaceable role of the human factor.

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