BREAKING: Students vote in favour of Ethical AI and disaffiliating from NUS

After a week of campaigning, both motions in the Warwick SU Autumn 2026 All Student Vote have passed. The motions confirm the Students’ Union’s commitment “to lobby the university for an ethical stance on AI” and “to disaffiliate from NUS”, as voted for by the student body.

The referenda are the result of mounting discontent with the University over the handling of AI, and with the National Union of Students (NUS UK) over flawed democractic principles, after Warwick SU officers were reportedly excluded from conferences for urging the organisation to take action on Palestine.

In total 2234 votes were cast by 1199 individuals, meaning that approximately 4% of students at the University participated in the All Student Vote

In total 2234 votes were cast by 1199 individuals, meaning that approximately 4% of students at the University participated in the All Student Vote.

The Ethical AI motion was supported this week by Ethical AI Warwick, led by campaigners Helena Ratcliffe and Bailey Shore, who worked with a team of advocates to publicise the motion both online via Instagram and with students on campus.

After a low voter turnout in the Summer ASV, the revised motion received 1,043 votes in support of its implementation by the SU, totalling over 89% of the overall vote.

As previously reported by The Boar, the motion states that Warwick SU should begin lobbying the University to limit the “promotion and use [of AI] across teaching, assessment, governance, and marketing”. It asserts that the unregulated implementation of AI undermines academic integrity, impacts the livelihoods of students and staff, and exploits students’ intellectual property.

Warwick Stands With Palestine campaigned for the motion to dissafiliate from NUS, releasing multiple statements asking their members to support the motion.

The second motion proposed disaffiliating with NUS on the grounds of flawed democracy and inaction on global events, particularly in Palestine

Warwick SU previously disaffiliated from NUS in 2023, following the passing of an exit motion that cited the organisation’s alleged failure to “protect minorities from abuse through divisive rhetoric” and reported inaction on islamophobia and antisemitism. In Autumn 2025, another motion passed to re-affiliate with NUS, stating that a low percentage of votes in favour (42.1%) and a high abstention rate weakened the original motion. It also expressed concerns that the University of Warwick Conservative Association, who lead the 2023 campaign to disaffiliate, had “cheapened” and “weaponised” antisemitism, and had been endorsed by far-right figures.

This week’s motion to disaffiliate received a total vote of 1071, with 791 in favour, 165 against, and 115 abstentions. It proposed disaffiliating with NUS on the grounds of flawed democracy and inaction on global events, particularly in Palestine. The motion also clarifies that it does not propose disaffiliation with NUS charity, the body responsible for services and funding for member SUs.

No organised campaign groups opposed either motion in the Autumn 2026 ASV.

Both motion documents can be read here.