by Maxine Sims

This weeks topic was Using AI starting with the Digital Education Institutes Ebook on The Impact of AI on Learning Design. The group also discussed other AI tools they have experimented with and different thoughts and opinions on where it could be useful or risky in education.

Some key takeaways:

• AI can be really useful for inspiration and ‘tidying up’ your thoughts and learning content plans.
• Tools are emerging and changing all the time. They can produce content at a faster and cheaper rate than traditional methods, particularly video production tools.
• There are great opportunities to level the accessibility of learning by supporting the effort from thought to writing for groups that find this challenging.
• There is a fear around the uncertainty of it’s uses, and some scepticism of it’s value – particularly when it comes to the suggestion that some traditional jobs may become redundant!
• Like all new technology it is disruptive and calls into question the value and purpose of education, knowledge and skills. What can we gain and what do we lose are questions that are still debated.
• Some universities have made progress with creating AI working groups to produce T&L guidance and training and support for staff. For example Sheffield and Oxford.
• There are potential uses for AI to free up staff time (a common complaint) to focus on more ‘meaningful’ work if we can find a comfortable way forward with what data we share and what tasks can be handled by the tech.

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