Linköping University has made a strategic decision to implement an action plan for AI-ready education. AI here refers to generative artificial intelligence. The initiative comes in response to the rapid development of AI, which places new demands on the content and delivery of education. LiU wants to ensure that students and teachers are equipped for the responsible use of AI in education and in future professional life.
“AI is already changing the way we learn and work. It’s our responsibility to ensure that our programmes maintain high quality and remain relevant in an AI-driven future,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Karin Axelsson.
AI ambassadors and AI experiments
An AI-ready education means that each programme has been reviewed and adapted to include appropriate elements of AI. It also takes into account upcoming changes in different professions so that students are prepared for a future working life that includes AI. AI-ready education helps students to develop the knowledge and transferable skills required in their field of study, while also including understanding and use of AI. The action plan emphasises that “AI should not be used as a shortcut that deprives students of knowledge, but rather as a powerful tool to increase learning.”
The action plan includes several concrete measures and activities. Among other things, AI ambassadors will be appointed within the departments to drive development and support colleagues. Teachers will be offered skills development in AI, and doctoral students and their supervisors will receive special resources to strengthen their knowledge. In addition, AI experiments and pilot projects are to be put in place to test new teaching methods and technologies. Teaching teams may apply for funding to realise a development idea that incorporates AI into an existing course or programme. The action plan also states that the Artificial Intelligence Simulation and Teaching Laboratory (AIST Lab) will be a resource and meeting place for sharing experiences from the various AI experiments.
Continuing at the forefront of AI
The action plan also includes assignments to adapt programme and course syllabi so that the AI perspective is integrated at all levels, as well to review how examinations are designed to prevent misconduct or deception involving the unauthorised use of AI. Furthermore, LiU will explore additional needs for AI-proofing education and will promote knowledge sharing and communication in the area.
The fact that LiU is at the forefront, with extensive expertise in generative artificial intelligence and a unique national position in terms of responsibility for both supercomputers and AI-related research programmes, means that the university should be the natural choice for students wishing to gain AI competence as part of their studies, regardless of the field of education.
“Our goal is for all students, regardless of their programme, to acquire the skills required to understand, use and critically relate to AI. We want LiU to be a role model for how universities can work with the competences of the future,” says Karin Axelsson.
