Welcome to a three-part blog series exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. In this series, we’ll discuss the importance of thoroughly vetting AI to ensure responsible use, compare the AI vetting process with peer review in academia, and provide practical insights on selecting and integrating AI tools into research and teaching. Join us as we navigate the opportunities and challenges AI presents, with a focus on maintaining academic integrity and enhancing educational outcomes.
Let’s learn more about responsibly integrating AI into our teaching and research practices, starting with the video, "Why Vet AI?" (Length 1:43)
In this blog post, we spotlight the critical role of vetting artificial intelligence (AI) for effective use in higher education. Technology and innovation remain at the center of discussion as this current digital era continues accelerating. Integrating artificial intelligence in educational institutions has been at the forefront of academic conversations.
AI is not just a trendy innovation but a helpful tool that is here to stay. AI redefines how we teach, learn, and even complete work-related tasks. Whether answering emails with predictive text or using a navigation app with real-time traffic updates, AI has already been integrated into our daily lives. With AI's growing prominence and influence in higher education, it is important to critically analyze its implementation, harness the potential benefits responsibly, and mitigate potential risks or drawbacks.
There are several potential benefits to utilizing and implementing AI in education. AI can help streamline administrative functions and tasks (e.g., analyzing student assignments, providing feedback, grading, etc.). AI is also a beneficial tool for designing content, strategic planning, and developing curriculum. AI software and web-based platforms have progressed to improve teaching quality and student experience by offering a variety of teaching methods and learning activities, providing prompt feedback to students, and customizing and personalizing curricula based on students' needs (Chen et al., 2020).
Integrating AI into the curriculum can also help to prepare graduates with essential skills and practice for their future careers to help address potential existing educational gaps (Huang, 2023; Jupalli et al., 2023). Examples like AI-infused learning management systems providing individualized learning pathways based on feedback or scenario-based learning experiences using virtual reality can demonstrate opportunities for how AI can help facilitate what may be beyond the constraints of traditional classroom settings.
While incorporating AI has advantages, educators should be cautious and intentional about integration. AI usage should be purpose-driven, demonstrate responsible use, and be done thoughtfully to maximize AI's advantages while minimizing potential risks (Mittal, 2023; Zouhaier, 2023).
Despite AI’s numerous advantages, AI can sometimes generate inaccurate, misleading, and potentially biased information. Unchecked AI-generated content can inadvertently spread false information. AI models can inherit biases from their training data, making identifying and mitigating such biases challenging.
The ethical concerns and potential risks associated with AI's use in higher education (Lachheb, 2024)—such as biased algorithms in assessment—underscore the importance of a thorough vetting process. Also, developing a deployment plan for AI is important to prevent adverse outcomes (Slimi & Carballido, 2023). Fact-checking and ethical scrutiny are key strategies to prevent the spread of false information and authenticate AI-generated content (Lin, 2023). Vetting and fact-checking AI are necessary approaches to ensure the accuracy, validity, and reliability of AI while addressing potential risks (Drach et al., 2023).
So, what exactly do we mean by vetting or fact-checking AI?
Fact-checking is a process for verifying the accuracy of information (Merriam-Webster, n.d). It serves multiple purposes, including upholding trust between authors or content creators and their audiences, enabling informed decision-making, preventing the spread of misinformation, and ensuring accountability (Gillham, n.d.). AI can significantly impact academic integrity and pedagogical shifts (Fowler, 2023).
When selecting and vetting AI, it is important to develop a solid connection to theoretical and pedagogical perspectives (Zawacki-Richter et al., 2019). Accuracy and reliability are foundational in scholarly research and education. Fact-checking AI outputs is crucial to maintaining the integrity of information in scholarly works (Polyportis, 2024). It also helps to establish quality and accurate output to enhance teaching and learning outcomes and to inform prompt decisions (Chatterjee & Bhattacharjee, 2020; Eager & Brunton, 2023). Vetting AI also involves establishing compliance with data privacy laws and safeguarding sensitive information, which is critical in research involving personal data (Ahmad et al., 2023).
The above infographic outlines the key components of vetting AI for responsible use in higher education. It features five interconnected elements:
- Accuracy and Reliability: Ensuring AI tools produce accurate and reliable information.
- Maintaining Academic Integrity: Protecting the integrity of academic work by using AI ethically and responsibly.
- Prevention of Misinformation: Preventing the spread of false or misleading information generated by AI.
- Bias and Ethical Considerations: Addressing potential biases in AI algorithms and ensuring ethical use of AI technology.
- Thoughtful Integration: Integrating AI into academic practices in a deliberate and intentional manner.
Together, these elements form a comprehensive framework for vetting AI to ensure its effective and beneficial implementation in higher education.
The thoughtful and intentional AI integration into academic practices is essential to balance the opportunities and obstacles of this evolving technology. Verifying that AI tools and output are used appropriately supports and upholds the integrity of academic work.
As we navigate the continuously advancing educational landscape, educators must adapt and progress to keep up and maintain effectiveness. By vetting AI thoroughly, we can confirm its responsible use and effective implementation in the classroom and research, benefiting all stakeholders (Barros et al., 2023). Next time, we’ll discuss the process of vetting AI and the alignment with the peer review process in scholarly research.
Additional information related to AI can be found in the Discover AI: Your Guide to Understanding Artificial Intelligence and its Place in Higher Education resource.