Hello AI Enthusiasts 👋

Welcome to the latest edition of ‘T3’ – AI Tech, Tools & Trends in Higher Education.

As a university educator, researcher, and fellow AI enthusiast, I'm on a continuous journey to discover valuable resources and insights to share with you.

This week, I've curated a selection of AI gems including a recent study that delves into the potential of generative AI tools in improving the writing quality of Doctoral Students.

I'm also thrilled to share a fantastic ‘how to’ video, introducing you to Perplexity, a chatbot that has become an indispensable part of my daily AI toolkit. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

I have exciting news for fans of AI superstar Ethan Mollick. His highly anticipated book is set to be released soon, and I couldn't be more eager to get my hands on a copy. If you haven't already, I strongly encourage you to follow Ethan on LinkedIn, where he shares a wealth of valuable information on AI applications in Higher Education. His daily insights are a must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field.

As always, you’ll additionally find a collection of news articles from around the globe.

Thank you for being a part of this AI journey with me. I hope you find these resources useful!

Teaching & Research Resources

• 🔗 Human-AI collaboration patterns in AI-assisted academic writing This academic paper explores the influence of generative AI (GAI) on academic writing in higher education, specifically focusing on how doctoral students interact with GAI-powered tools during the writing process. The findings suggest that doctoral students who engage in iterative and highly interactive processes with the GAI-powered assisting tool generally achieve better performance in their writing tasks. In contrast, those who use GAI merely as a supplementary information source and maintain a linear writing approach tend to have lower writing performance. The study highlights the need for further research into human-AI collaboration in learning within the context of higher education, with potential implications for developing tailored educational strategies and solutions.
  

• Webinar: Fighting Fire with Fire: Navigating Student AI Use with AI-Enriched Assignments and Assessments The webinar addressed concerns about AI's impact on education, including the potential for academic dishonesty, but also highlighted opportunities for enhancing educational practices by integrating AI tools responsibly.

• Co-Intelligence, Living and Working with AI. As a big fan of Ethan Mollick, I excitedly pre-ordered his “definitive playbook for working, learning, and living in the new age of AI”. Get your copy on Amazon so we can chat about it 🙂 Follow Ethan Mollick on LinkedIn for daily AI tips and tricks.

• How To Use Perplexity AI For Research - Terrifyingly SMART! Dr Andy Stappleton makes another great ‘how-to’ video, this time about a chatbot called Perplexity that I use daily and will likely blow your mind!

Weekly AI News Updates

Catch up on the latest AI news in higher education with this selection of curated articles from around the globe.

New TextGenEd textbook offers ways to incorporate AI into writing classes while setting ground rules.

👉 The news article includes a link to an open-access, peer-reviewed collection of generative AI-assisted writing assignments

A new collection of AI-assisted writing assignments, called TextGenEd: Teaching with Text Generation Technologies, aims to help writing instructors incorporate AI into their classrooms while also setting ground rules for its use. The book, co-edited by Carly Schnitzler from Johns Hopkins University, offers 34 undergraduate-level exercises across five sections that cover AI literacy, ethical considerations, creative explorations, professional writing, and rhetorical engagements.

Balancing the Risks and Rewards of AI in Higher Education

Is your university still leaning on AI detection tools for academic integrity? Some interesting research cited in this article gives us cause for concern!

“AI detection tools have fallen short of uncovering AI-generated responses accurately and without bias.”

Studies have shown that AI detection tools often mislabel writing by English as a Second Language (ESL) students and individuals with autism spectrum disorder as AI-generated. Instead of relying on these flawed detection tools, educators should focus on evolving assessment practices to evaluate learners' understanding more effectively.

Authentic assessments that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-reflection are harder for generative AI tools to imitate convincingly. Activities that explore areas with limited historical data, such as current events and personal experiences, can also be incorporated.

Leveraging AI tools to assist with ideation and brainstorming during course design can make the process more efficient. Digital learning environments can facilitate authentic assessments, project work, and group work, creating innovative and sound learning experiences.

Nanjing University Implements Mandatory AI Classes, Pioneering a New Era of Education

Nanjing University in China has become the first university in the country to introduce mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) classes for all incoming students. The curriculum includes a core course on AI fundamentals, as well as interdisciplinary courses that integrate AI with various academic subjects.

The goal is to provide all students with a solid understanding of how AI can be applied in different contexts, regardless of their chosen field of study. The initiative also aims to inspire students to explore new ways of incorporating AI into other disciplines and to create new commercial opportunities.

The move by Nanjing University could set a precedent for other universities to introduce similar AI curricula, fostering a competitive landscape in AI education in China.

B.Store - AI Books Reading List

A curated selection of books that shaped my AI learning journey, including:

• Life 3.0 Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence with Max Tegmark’s groundbreaking book, “Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” This compelling read offers a profound exploration of how AI will impact our lives, careers, and the future of humanity itself. Tegmark, a renowned physicist, brings complex concepts to life with clarity and wit, making this book accessible to both AI enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.

• The Coming Wave: Mustafa Suleyman’s “The Coming Wave” explores the transformative potential and risks of artificial intelligence and synthetic biology in reshaping society. As a DeepMind co-founder, Suleyman provides an in-depth analysis of the ethical and practical challenges these technologies bring, particularly how they interplay and empower one another. The book outlines a detailed plan for managing these advancements, balancing optimism with critical concerns. It offers a comprehensive view, rooted in historical context, about how these technologies could impact humanity’s future.

• AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future: AI 2041 presents ten speculative short stories set in different cities around the world in the year 2041, each accompanied by an analysis of the AI technologies and their potential impacts. It explores how AI will shape various aspects of human life, such as work, education, healthcare, and relationships, over the next two decades. It delves into the potential benefits and risks of AI, including its role in revolutionizing medicine and education, creating new forms of communication and entertainment, and the ethical implications of AI technology. The stories and analysis aim to provide a realistic assessment of AI capabilities and their potential impacts, humanizing the discussion around the future of AI.

Check out more great reads on the B.Store!

That’s a Wrap!

Thanks for your support.

I appreciate you reading this newsletter and sharing it with your friends.

Take care and chat soon,

Bron 

P.S. If you’d like to contribute an article to my blog, check out the recently released contributor guidelines.