Navigating agentic AI: a call for reimagined academic literacies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi39.1640

Keywords:

agentic artificial intelligence, academic literacies, AI literacy, human-AI collaboration

Abstract

The emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education raises a critical question: does the move toward autonomous systems capable of planning, decision-making, and action constitute a fundamental shift, or an acceleration of challenges already posed by generative AI? This article argues that these developments require a reimagining of academic literacies, extending beyond traditional emphases on critical thinking and academic writing toward a more comprehensive conception of AI literacy. Drawing on research in AI ethics and digital pedagogy, it explores the implications of learning in partnership with increasingly autonomous systems. It examines how agentic AI disrupts established understandings of authorship, assessment, and intellectual labour, and proposes a framework centred on critical evaluation, prompt literacy, co-authorship, ethical awareness, and recognition of AI limitations. Learning developers are positioned as central actors in this transition, with a key role in shaping pedagogy, assessment, and institutional policy.

Author Biographies

Octavio Murekian, University of Greenwich

Octavio E. Murekian is a Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Greenwich and Programme Leader for the MA in Marketing Management. His research focuses on consumer culture and behaviour, with particular emphasis on online communities, status, technology, and security-related consumption. His teaching interests include consumer behaviour, marketing research, digital marketing, and the use of technology to enhance learning and teaching in higher education.

Surabil Sudarshan, University of Greenwich

Surabil Sudarshan is a Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Greenwich Business School with over 20 years of industry experience spanning technology, business, and consulting. He designs and leads industry-focused modules and has contributed extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate programme development. His expertise includes artificial intelligence, particularly AI agents and agentic AI, data analytics, digital marketing, and business technology consulting. His research examines responsible AI, consumer trust, content visibility, and human–AI collaboration in educational and applied contexts. His teaching focuses on AI, data-driven digital marketing, analytics, innovation, and technology-enhanced learning.

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Published

27-03-2026

How to Cite

Murekian, O., & Sudarshan, S. (2026). Navigating agentic AI: a call for reimagined academic literacies. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (39). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi39.1640

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Section

Opinion Pieces