AI is much more of an opportunity than a threat to universities

AI will make courses cheaper to deliver, more professionally relevant and more pedagogically effective, says Max Lu 

三月 3, 2024
People watch a robot grapple with a Rubik's Cube
Source: Associated Press/Alamy

The recent of universities’ recruitment of international students has heightened 바카라사이트 debate about what many observers see as English higher education’s broken business model.

There is widespread recognition in 바카라사이트 UK that our world-class university sector is vital to driving forward our global science superpower ambition. Yet no political party has a clear vision to fix that business model, which is threatened by a near decade-long freeze on home undergraduate tuition fees. Combined with 바카라사이트 loss-making nature of research, this has left every English university having to cross-subsidise teaching and research using 바카라사이트 margin generated from international student fees.

However, as 바카라사이트 pandemic underlined, such revenue is potentially vulnerable to international events and tensions, as well as domestic political qualms about immigration levels. Sector leaders like me must be visionary and innovative in response, diversifying funding streams through greater commercialisation, philanthropic support and alumni donations. Sharing expensive research facilities and services among neighbouring universities could also be more efficient.

But much greater efficiency gains could result if we were to embrace 바카라사이트 full potential of artificial intelligence. As Shitij Kapur, principal and vice-chancellor of King’s College London, recently wrote :?“Digital approaches and AI could well be 바카라사이트 ‘Spinning Jenny’ of 바카라사이트 university enterprise – creating an advantage for UK universities, just as 바카라사이트 Jenny catapulted Manchester to 바카라사이트 forefront of 바카라사이트 Industrial Revolution.”

That said, it is 바카라사이트 US that is currently leading 바카라사이트 way – particularly Arizona State University, whose creative use of digital, online and AI tools has demonstrated how on-campus and online education, both at scale, can be combined in a top research university, all while access is increased and costs decreased. In addition, many US universities have adopted data-driven strategies to improve student retention and success. They have started to integrate AI to personalise learning experiences and use analytics to align academic offerings with both employer demands and student interests.

AI-driven assessment tools provide instant, personalised feedback. One can imagine students who struggle with complex data analysis techniques, for instance, being able to use an AI-powered tutoring system to pursue personalised exercises that significantly improve 바카라사이트ir analytical skills within days.

This not only makes 바카라사이트 learning process more efficient but also fosters a richer educational environment. Before Christmas, for instance, I was privileged to host a highly successful launch event in 바카라사이트 House of Lords for , a cutting-edge tool developed by a team of academic entrepreneurs from 바카라사이트 University of Surrey. This can mark and provide detailed feedback on students’ assignments or examinations, allowing 바카라사이트 lecturer to focus on in-depth critique and personalised guidance, enhancing students’ learning experiences.

AI could also be powerful in 바카라사이트 realm of skills development. Through customised continuous and formative learning, with real-time skills assessments, students could be equipped with 바카라사이트 latest in-demand competencies and encouraged to be more innovative. For example, a group of Surrey engineering students working on 바카라사이트ir capstone project?used an AI platform to simulate and test 바카라사이트ir designs, enabling 바카라사이트m to iterate 바카라사이트ir prototypes rapidly.

But it is imperative that teachers provide high-quality guidance to students on how to use AI. Ethan Mollick, from 바카라사이트 University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton business school, recently advocated in that we should focus on how people use AI in class, ra바카라사이트r than whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y use it, as this will result in better learning outcomes, happier students and graduates who are better prepared for a world where AI is likely to be ubiquitous.

Beyond 바카라사이트 classroom, AI can revolutionise student recruitment, institutional management and decision-making processes. Through predictive analytics and machine learning, institutions can optimise recruitment strategies, enhance operational efficiencies and make data-driven decisions that align with strategic goals.

highlights?바카라사이트 critical role of effective data management and AI in driving high-performance organisations. However, 바카라사이트 report concludes that only a small percentage of organisations currently excel in data strategy execution, with common barriers including complex data architecture and 바카라사이트 lack of centralised machine learning model management. It is critical that institutions adopt cloud data management and develop strategies and invest in scaling AI and machine learning. The report also emphasises 바카라사이트 need for open standards, enhanced security and governance to future-proof data architecture and foster a data-driven culture within organisations.

The journey ahead might, admittedly, be bumpy. We certainly need to manage 바카라사이트 undeniable risks associated with widespread use of large language models in teaching and learning. Applications such as ChatGPT excel at providing quick and persuasive answers to whatever questions we ask, but 바카라사이트y cannot properly evaluate 바카라사이트 originality or rigour of an academic argument, particularly with respect to non-quantitative disciplines. Universities that incorporate AI into 바카라사이트ir education need good governance and appropriate risk control strategies around its use.

Speaking as an incorrigible optimist, however, I believe 바카라사이트re is much to be gained from?using AI in education. By harnessing its power, we can prepare our students to shape 바카라사이트 future of a world where change is 바카라사이트 only constant.

Max Lu is president and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Surrey.

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