AI in HE: friend or foe?

The rising availability and popularity of AI tools is reshaping the way we teach, assess, and support students. But are we fully prepared for this transformation?

• Originally posted to LinkedIn: 10th March 2025 [Link]

➡️ The case for AI as a friend:

✅ Enhancing learning: AI can provide personalised learning experiences and help students grasp complex concepts in ways traditional methods might not.
✅ Supporting staff: automating admin tasks, streamlining feedback, and assisting with meeting notes or research can free up valuable time for educators.
✅ Improving accessibility: assistive technologies can make education more inclusive for students with disabilities or language barriers.

➡️ The case for AI as a foe:

❌ Academic integrity: systems that detect non-original work are evolving, but so is AI’s ability to mimic human writing. Have our assessments kept up?
❌ Devaluing critical thinking: if AI can generate answers, are we teaching students to think critically or just encouraging them to refine their prompts and rework the AI-generated responses?
❌ Bias & ethical concerns: AI systems learn from existing data, which means biases can creep into teaching materials, decision-making, grading, and even what’s offered through student support services.

➡️ Where do we go from here?

As AI continues to evolve, universities must decide how to integrate it responsibly: leveraging the benefits while safeguarding academic integrity and student learning. Does this mean redesigning assessments? Rethinking pedagogy? Updating policies?

Is AI an opportunity or a threat in higher education?

[📷 Photo adapted from Lucas K on Unsplash]