AI in Higher Education: How the Royal College of Art is Driving Creativity and Collaboration with Zoom

Explore how the Royal College of Art (RCA) leveraged Zoom to transform its digital landscape, enabling creative collaboration and driving innovation across higher education.

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Industry:

Higher Education

Region:

London, United Kingdom

Challenge:

Tool sprawl created friction for users and complexity for IT.

Approach:

Simplify the stack, reduce fragmentation, and create a more joined-up experience across collaboration, admissions, and student support.

Impact:

Less friction, better day-to-day collaboration, out-of-hours student support via SMS, and a stronger foundation for AI-enabled services.

Products used

In the late 2010s, RCA, a global leader in art and design education, recognised the need for a more cohesive technology strategy. Its fragmented digital environment was limiting the collaborative spirit at the heart of the institution.

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We had outstanding creative talent, but our technology framework was holding us back.

Greg Finlay IT Service Desk Manager

This realisation became the catalyst for a transformation focused on enhancing connectivity, collaboration, and creativity.

Adopting a Unified Platform

RCA began by adopting a unified platform, placing Zoom at the centre of its digital ecosystem. This move was not just about efficiency—it was about creating a seamless, modern experience across the Battersea, Kensington, and White City campuses.

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Too many options can complicate the process,” Finlay noted. “Streamlining brought clarity.

Digital Strategy and AI Integration

By embedding Zoom into its digital strategy, RCA unlocked new levels of collaboration. Lectures, critiques, and research discussions now connect effortlessly across campuses and with global partners in China, Sweden, Canada, Mexico, and the upcoming Riyadh University of Art.

 

RCA also explored AI as a driver of creativity and operational efficiency. Zoom’s AI Companion supports staff and students by generating concise meeting summaries and capturing key insights, freeing up time for deeper academic and creative work.

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“We focused first on the student experience,” Finlay explained. “Once that was optimised, we could extend those innovations internally.”

This outward-first approach ensured that innovation remained purposeful, user-centric, and directly aligned with RCA’s mission.

Governance and Responsible Innovation

RCA’s digital evolution has been carefully balanced with strong governance.

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“We’re moving from consolidation to control. It’s about using these tools responsibly,” Finlay said.

At RCA, governance is not a constraint but an enabler, supporting sustainable and ethical adoption of new technologies.

Impact and Future Initiatives

Today, Zoom is central to RCA’s most forward-thinking initiatives, including the AI Festival at Battersea, where artists and technologists explore the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence. From robotics and visualisation labs to global collaboration, RCA is redefining how art, technology, and purpose converge.

 

When asked for advice for other institutions, Finlay shared a simple but powerful message:

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“Stay curious. Collaborate and simplify. It’s not about being first—it’s about getting it right.”

For the Royal College of Art, getting it right means building a digital environment that reflects its ethos: bold, collaborative, and endlessly curious.

 

RCA has implemented the full Zoom platform—including Zoom Meetings, Phone, Events, and AI Companion—and is currently piloting Virtual Agent and Contact Centre to support prospective students through the admissions process in multiple languages.

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