UK universities have developed a set of guiding principles to make sure that students and staff are knowledgeable about artificial intelligence, as the sector struggles to modify teaching and assessment techniques to deal with the growing use of generative AI.
Vice chancellors from the 24 Russell Group universities, which prioritise research, have agreed to follow the code. According to them, by doing this, UK universities will be better able to take advantage of AI’s opportunities while also maintaining the rigour and integrity of academic inquiry in higher learning.
Previously, there were discussions about banning software like ChatGPT in education to prevent cheating. However, the current guidance emphasizes the need to teach students how to use AI appropriately in their studies, while also raising their awareness about the risks associated with plagiarism, bias, and inaccuracies that can arise from generative AI.
Staff will also need training to ensure they are equipped to assist students, many of whom are already incorporating ChatGPT into their assignments. New ways of assessing students are likely to emerge to reduce the risk of cheating.
All 24 Russell Group universities have reviewed their academic conduct policies and guidance to reflect the emergence of generative AI.The new guidance states: “These policies clarify to students and staff when the use of generative AI is inappropriate, and aim to assist them in making informed decisions and empower them to appropriately use these tools and acknowledge their usage when required.”
Experts in AI and education collaborated to develop the principles, which serve as an initial step in what will likely be a challenging period of change in higher education. The increasing influence of AI on the world is driving this transformation.
