Generative AI in higher education
As a university, we understand the need to harness generative AI technology and prepare our students for its use in the workforce.
As a university, we understand the need to harness generative AI technology and prepare our students for its use in the workforce.
Embrace the future with our generative AI webinar
Catch up on our recent free webinar and join our academic leaders in exploring the advantages of generative AI. Learn how to enhance your AI proficiency, effectively apply soft skills and leverage this technology for a competitive edge in the workforce. This is your chance to incorporate AI into your personal and professional toolkit.听
Our philosophy
爱污传媒 embraces new technologies and innovations that impact higher education and are relevant in the workplace to prepare students to be career ready. Generative artificial intelligence (Al) tools are rapidly being deployed in a myriad of ways that are dramatically changing the way people learn and work. We will seek to employ the use of generative artificial intelligence tools to the benefit of our students and faculty by:
- Encouraging students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with generative artificial intelligence tools and understand their potential applications, as well as their limitations, biases and inaccuracies, both in academic and professional settings.
- Educating faculty on how to help students understand in what context the use of generative artificial intelligence tools is appropriate and when the use of these tools can result in academic misconduct.
- Continuing to design assignments and assessments that thoughtfully combine multiple approaches to achieve learning objectives and encourage critical thinking.
- Clearly stating when generative artificial intelligence tools may be used to complete course assignments and when they should not be used to complete course assignments.
- Implementing reliable methods of detecting the inappropriate use of generative artificial intelligence tools.
- Striving to keep our academic integrity policies, procedures and expectations updated to reflect advancements in generative artificial intelligence tools and to protect the institution's academic integrity.
- Staying current on trends, research, application and innovations related to artificial intelligence and its impact on student learning and workplace readiness.
爱污传媒 embraces new technologies and innovations that impact higher education and are relevant in the workplace to prepare students to be career ready. Generative artificial intelligence (Al) tools are rapidly being deployed in a myriad of ways that are dramatically changing the way people learn and work. We will seek to employ the use of generative artificial intelligence tools to the benefit of our students and faculty by:
- Encouraging students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with generative artificial intelligence tools and understand their potential applications, as well as their limitations, biases and inaccuracies, both in academic and professional settings.
- Educating faculty on how to help students understand in what context the use of generative artificial intelligence tools is appropriate and when the use of these tools can result in academic misconduct.
- Continuing to design assignments and assessments that thoughtfully combine multiple approaches to achieve learning objectives and encourage critical thinking.
- Clearly stating when generative artificial intelligence tools may be used to complete course assignments and when they should not be used to complete course assignments.
- Implementing reliable methods of detecting the inappropriate use of generative artificial intelligence tools.
- Striving to keep our academic integrity policies, procedures and expectations updated to reflect advancements in generative artificial intelligence tools and to protect the institution's academic integrity.
- Staying current on trends, research, application and innovations related to artificial intelligence and its impact on student learning and workplace readiness.
What is generative AI?
Artificial intelligence is not a new concept. Most of us encounter it daily, whether we realize it or not. Today, AI technology might appear in your life in various forms, such as virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, search engines, chatbots, GPS and autocorrect.
Generative AI takes this technology to another level, creating new content, including text, images and music, by learning patterns from existing datasets. These tools can imitate human writing using large language models, and they are applicable across several fields, such as business, marketing, human resources and law. Some examples of popular generative AI programs include ChatGPT, Microsoft庐 CoPilot, Grammarly, Canva and Adobe Express.
Benefits of generative AI
AI technology is revolutionizing how students learn and interact with academic material. By integrating AI into the classroom, educators can unlock a wealth of opportunities for personalized learning experiences that cater to students鈥 unique needs. Students are empowered to explore, understand and excel in ways that were previously unimaginable, hopefully paving the way for a听more student-centered education system.
There are several ways that incorporating generative AI in a higher education setting can benefit students, including:
- Enhanced learning materials: Generative AI can create customized study guides, summaries and practice questions, helping students grasp complex topics more effectively and tailor their learning experiences.
- Creative content generation: Students can use generative AI to assist in creating multimedia projects, such as videos, graphics and music, enhancing their creativity and presentation skills.
- Research assistance: AI tools can help students in gathering and analyzing data, generating hypotheses and even drafting parts of research papers, making the research process more efficient.
- Language and writing support: Generative AI can aid in improving writing skills by providing grammar and style suggestions, translating text and even generating content ideas, which can be especially beneficial for non-native speakers.
- Personalized learning experiences: AI can adapt educational content to fit individual learning styles and paces, offering personalized feedback and recommendations to improve academic performance.
Explore more benefits of generative AI in the classroom through our .
Generative AI skills
At 爱污传媒, our commitment to providing career-relevant education is rooted in a profound understanding of employer needs. An example of this is our collaboration with Lightcast, a labor market data company, we align our degree programs with skills in demand in today's job market. As the effective use of generative AI becomes increasingly important across careers, we strive to prepare our students with the necessary skills.
What related skills are employers looking for?
Being proficient in leveraging generative AI is not necessarily a technological skill, but rather a human skill. Research indicates that employers seeking personnel well versed in generative AI highly value the development of related skills. These skills may include:
- Creativity: To envision innovative uses of AI, enabling employees to develop unique solutions and optimize AI tools for complex challenges
- Adaptability: To keep pace with evolving AI technologies, allowing employees to smoothly integrate new AI systems into workflows, embrace change and continuously learn for maximum benefit
- Critical thinking and problem solving: To evaluate AI-generated data and outcomes, helping employees identify issues, troubleshoot errors and make informed decisions to ensure effective and ethical AI use
- Communication: To articulate ideas and interpret AI insights, foster collaboration and ensure AI initiatives align with business objectives, facilitating integration across departments
66% of leaders would not hire someone听without AI skills[1]
The employer perspective
Leaders are looking for non-technical talent with the ability to learn and use AI tools.
AI is projected to elevate skills across roles and industries, and soft skills will become critical for employees at all levels.
Leaders would not hire someone听without AI skills[1]
The employer perspective
Leaders are looking for non-technical talent with the ability to learn and use AI tools.
AI is projected to elevate skills across roles and industries, and soft skills will become critical for employees at all levels.
[1] 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report, May 8, 2024,
Leaders would not hire someone听without AI skills[1]
The employer perspective
Leaders are looking for non-technical talent with the ability to learn and use AI tools.
AI is projected to elevate skills across roles and industries, and soft skills will become critical for employees at all levels.
[1] 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report, May 8, 2024,听
How is the University supporting students鈥 development of generative AI skills?
Some of our university learning goals 鈥 the core skills we aim for all students to develop during their academic journey 鈥 reflect a number of the key capabilities that employers have identified as vital for the effective use of generative AI. The university learning goals are incorporated throughout our academic programs, curriculum and instruction, equipping our students to participate in today's dynamic job market.
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Additionally, we are beginning to incorporate generative AI in existing courses and developing new courses that educate students on the effective, ethical and responsible use of AI technology. The elective course CSS/201, Generative AI in Everyday Life was designed to provide a foundation for those new to the concept of generative AI.
Best practices for using generative AI
As much as generative AI has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing learning experiences, it does not come without risk. Anyone using generative AI needs to understand its limitations and learn how to use it responsibly. It鈥檚 also important to recognize that there are many questions regarding its use that are still unanswered. Keep in mind the following as you explore generative AI tools:
- Respect intellectual property: Always credit original creators and ensure AI-generated content complies with copyright laws. Also, refrain from inputting copyrighted materials, like course content, into open or publicly accessible generative AI systems to avoid unauthorized use or changes.[2]
- Avoid plagiarism: Use AI tools to inspire and assist in your work, but never pass off AI-generated content as your own. Be transparent by citing your use of AI. Students can visit the to learn how.
- Ensure data privacy: Be mindful of the data you share with AI platforms. Protect your personal information and be aware of the privacy policies of the AI tools you use.
- Verify accuracy of output: AI tools may not always provide accurate or comprehensive information. Use AI-generated content as a supplement to traditional research methods.
- Enhance, don鈥檛 replace: Utilize AI to enhance your learning and understanding of subjects. Ensure that AI does not replace your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest developments in AI technology and its ethical considerations. Being informed helps in making conscientious decisions about how and when to use AI tools.
[2] Read more about copyright on the University Library AI page under limitations.
Learn to use generative AI to become career ready
Starting January 2025, the University will offer the 'Generative AI in Everyday Life' elective course, where you鈥檒l gain hands-on experience with AI tools like Microsoft庐 Copilot and develop practical skills to keep up with the AI-driven workforce. Dive into real-world applications and ethical considerations of AI, preparing you to navigate and excel in the dynamic landscape of modern technology. Students can demonstrate their career-relevant skills by earning the Generative AI digital badge.听
Learn to use generative AI to become career ready
Starting January 2025, the University will offer the 'Generative AI in Everyday Life' elective course, where you鈥檒l gain hands-on experience with AI tools like Microsoft庐 Copilot and develop practical skills to keep up with the AI-driven workforce. Dive into real-world applications and ethical considerations of AI, preparing you to navigate and excel in the dynamic landscape of modern technology. Students can demonstrate their career-relevant skills by earning the Generative AI digital badge.听
Questions other students are asking
Students have free access to Microsoft庐 Copilot through their Microsoft 365庐 accounts. You can log on and start conversing with the AI assistant whenever you want.
Generative AI can be your personal assistant, helping you with research, coding, brainstorming, organizing ideas and editing your work. It can also give you feedback on grammar, content and punctuation. But remember, just copying and pasting AI output won't help you learn and could put you at risk for plagiarism. Use AI to develop your writing skills and polish your work but be transparent about how you use it.
One of the advantages of using Microsoft庐 Copilot is the ability to make real-time changes while working on an Microsoft庐 Office document, streamlining tasks like writing, data analysis, and presentations. In Word, Copilot can instantly assist with drafting essays or reports by generating content based on your topic, while suggesting improvements in grammar, tone, and clarity, making revisions quick and efficient. In Excel, it helps organize data, run formulas, and create charts or graphs in real time, making data analysis more straightforward. When working in PowerPoint, Copilot can transform outlines or key points into polished slide decks, complete with design suggestions and relevant visuals, right as you're building the presentation.
Like any online application, you should be mindful of what information you input into generative AI tools since they operate based on the input they receive. Never share sensitive information with a generative AI tool. However, when using Copilot through your Microsoft 365庐 account, enterprise data protection encrypts your conversations and keeps disclosed details private.
AI tools are great for gathering initial ideas about a topic. For example, you can ask Copilot a question, and it will provide an answer with links to various sources. This can help you develop your topic and learn how to identify credible sources of information. However, AI tools are known to produce output that is inaccurate and untrue, so be sure to evaluate any output accordingly.
AI tools are not completely reliable in regard to academic research. AI output can sometimes be inaccurate, biased or off topic. AI tools require human oversight, and just like in traditional research, any output should be evaluated for credibility, accuracy, and bias. The or Google Scholar are much better options to help you find credible, vetted resources for your assignments.
The use of AI in education presents several risks that educators and learners should be mindful of. One major concern is the potential for overreliance on AI, which can impede the development of essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and analytical abilities. These skills are crucial in today's workforce, where companies seek employees capable of independent thought and innovation.
Excessive use of AI tools might lead students to depend too heavily on technology for solutions, thus undermining their ability to solve problems without automated assistance. Furthermore, there's a risk that creativity could be stifled, as students may opt for AI-generated responses rather than developing unique ideas. To mitigate these risks, it's important to strike a balance between leveraging AI's capabilities and maintaining traditional learning approaches that foster independent thinking and creativity.
Generative AI can significantly enhance your writing and communication skills through several powerful mechanisms. By providing real-time feedback and suggestions, AI tools help you identify areas for improvement, such as grammar, style and clarity. This immediate response allows you to refine your writing iteratively, honing your ability to express ideas more effectively.听
Additionally, interacting with AI encourages you to articulate your thoughts clearly, as precise instructions yield better outputs. This process not only improves your technical writing skills but also strengthens your ability to communicate ideas succinctly and persuasively. Over time, the continuous engagement and feedback loop with AI can lead to more polished and impactful communication.
Communication is key to tailoring a generative AI tool to your desired purposes. Start by defining clear objectives and providing context for its interactions. Train the AI with specific commands to ensure accuracy, such as instructing it not to guess answers. Offer regular feedback to refine its performance and specify preferred formats and boundaries to tailor the AI鈥檚 responses to your needs. These steps will help the AI deliver more precise and relevant outputs.
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Microsoft 365 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
