At the University of Otago – Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou, we embrace the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance educational experiences. These guidelines are crafted to ensure our use of AI technologies is ethically and effectively, aligning with Use of Generative-Artificial Intelligences and Autonomous Content Generation in Learning and Teaching policy, Academic Integrity Policy and Guidelines for the Assessment of Student Performance
Our Approach
To foster the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in learning and teaching within the University of Otago – Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou, we propose a balanced approach that emphasises both overarching guidelines and the empowerment of individual divisions to tailor their own practices. This strategy promotes a light, non-intrusive policy framework that provides a degree of freedom, encouraging innovation and contextual relevance.
By inviting divisions to establish their own understanding of how AI integrates within their learning & teaching context, we ensure that the implementation of AI aligns with the unique needs and strengths of each academic area while maintaining coherence with the university’s overall position. Through this approach, we aim to develop AI understanding and practices that are relevant, effective, and reflective of our collective expertise and creativity. This will enhance our ability to innovate in teaching and research, support academic integrity, and equip our students and staff to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
While this balanced approach offers numerous benefits, it also presents significant challenges. It can be difficult for staff to know how to effectively integrate AI, often leading them to seek information from other institutions and potentially superseding their need to use AI. While we support the collection and sharing of information from various sources, we strongly encourage staff to become AI practitioners, believing that through their direct use, a deeper understanding and more practical applications of AI will emerge.
There is also the potential for disparities in AI integration and resources among different divisions. Ensuring coordination and communication across divisions will help mitigate this. Additionally, the rapid pace of AI development means that continuous professional development and upskilling for staff are essential, requiring ongoing investment in training and support. Despite these challenges, we believe that by fostering a collaborative and adaptable environment, we can overcome these obstacles and successfully integrate AI in a way that benefits both staff and students.
Responsible AI Use:
- Adhere to Academic Integrity: Ensure AI tools are used to support learning, not replace student effort or creativity.
- Acknowledge AI Assistance: Encourage students to transparently knowledge any AI-generated content or assistance in their work.
Foster Academic Integrity:
- Cultivate Critical Engagement: Encourage faculty to integrate discussions on AI’s ethical use and its impact on academic integrity within your teaching, fostering a critical understanding among students.
- Adapt and Innovate: Regularly update your teaching methods and assessments to reflect the latest AI technologies, ensuring they are used in a way that enhances learning while maintaining academic integrity.
AI Literacy:
- Enhance Understanding: Staff should familiarise themselves with AI capabilities and limitations to guide students appropriately.
- Incorporate AI Education: Integrate AI ethics and literacy into your curriculum to prepare students for responsible use.
Implementation and Support:
- Resource Availability: Utilise university-provided resources to integrate AI tools into teaching and learning processes.
- Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing professional development to stay informed about AI developments.
For further information or inquiries, please email aihe@otago.ac.nz
NOTE: The University has adopted the Australasian Academic Integrity Network (AAIN) guidelines to provide overarching guidance on Gen-AI and the appropriate use of Gen-AI for staff and students. The AAIN guidelines were developed with input from Australian and New Zealand universities including the University of Otago…. AAIN Generative Artificial Intelligence Guidelines (teqsa.gov.au)