Despite the best efforts of storm Isha I still managed to present at the 2024 National Conference on Gen AI in Ulster today (albeit remotely). Following on from my WONKHE post I focussed on the ‘how’ and ‘who’ of AI literacy in universities and proposed 10 (and a bit) principles.

When I was planning it I happened to have a chat with my son about AI translation getting us a step closer to Star Trek universal translators and how AI is akin to a journey …’where no-one has gone before’. Before I knew it my abstract was choc full of Star Trek refs and my presentation played fast and loose with the entire franchise.

The slides and my suggested principles are here

In the presentation I connected with Dr Kara Kennedy’s AI literacy Framework, exemplified a critical point with reference to Dr Sarah Eaton’s Tenets of Post-plagiarism and share some resources including my Custom GPT ‘Trek: The Captain’s Counsel’ and a really terrible AI generated song about my presentation.

Abstract

A year beyond our initial first contact with ChatGPT, the Russell Group has set a course with their principles on generative AI’s use in education, acting as an essential guide for the USS Academia. Foremost among these is the commitment to fostering AI literacy: an enterprise where universities pledge to equip students and staff for the journey ahead. This mission, however, navigates through sectors where perspectives on AI range from likely nemesis to potential prodigy.

Amidst the din of divergent voices, the necessity for critical, cohesive, and focused discourse in our scholarly collectives is paramount. In this talk Martin argues that we need to view AI and all associated opportunities and challenges as an undiscovered country where we have a much greater chance not only of survival in this strange new world but also of flourishing if we navigate it together. This challenge to the conventional knowledge hierarchies in higher education suggests genuine dialogue and collaboration are essential prerequisites to success.

Martin will chart the course he’s plotted at King’s College London, navigating through the nebula of complex AI narratives. He will share insights from a multifaceted strategy aimed at fostering AI understanding and literacy across the community of stakeholders in their endeavour to ensure the voyage is one of shared discovery.