It is inevitable that students will use AI in some way or another in their learning – perhaps even inadvertently as it becomes integrated into the technologies that mediate the daily work of writing, reading, and thinking.
This is particularly pertinent as the sophistication and ubiquity of of AI-powered tools increases, such as the new version of Microsoft office 365 Copilot, which has integrated ChatGPT. Banning AI is not viable, especially since students are already being exposed to the AI landscape and will need to use those tools in their future careers. Therefore, the only alternative for educators in universities is to actively promote the use of AI in an inclusive and ethical way.
There are a number of ways that AI-powered tools can support students’ learning currently – and more will emerge as the technology continues to develop. Chatbots and virtual assistants offer immediate guidance and support to students, regardless of their location or time.
