By Torben Haugaard Jensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Photo: AAU

AI has become part of our everyday lives. And it happened fast.

Young people in particular have embraced artificial intelligence. As many as 72 percent of Danes between the ages of 18 and 29 use ChatGTP, according to the latest figures from DR in Medieudviklingen 2023 [Media Development 2023].

So what do they use the technology for? 

For some, artificial intelligence is a big help. For example, for students who have embraced the technology, a chatbot can actually help with writing assignments, doing exercises and studying for exams.

This puts pressure on the education sector. Should AI be banned? Or should we allow artificial intelligence within defined frameworks?

AAU Business School (AAUBS) at Aalborg University has chosen to say yes to AI. So, on 25 April, AAUBS held an internal AI Day for all staff with visits and presentations from external experts and students.

Both students and staff are already experimenting with generative AI, and everyone wants to share their experiences, says Kristian Nielsen, Head of Studies, AAUBS.

"There is a demand for more information about generative AI, including applications and effective prompting. AI can be used in teaching, administration, research and funding applications. So, we are now allocating time and resources to continue the experiments and knowledge sharing," says Kristian Nielsen.

Need for a clear framework

During the discussions at AI Day, it became clear that we need a clear framework for students' use of generative AI at both AAU and AAUBS. At the same time, we need guides and examples on using AI so that more students and staff embrace the technology.

For example, students want to know how they can use generative AI in project work and how to use AI as a sounding board to understand the curriculum, solve tasks and learn to use software.

"Guidelines can help demystify generative AI and ensure a more level playing field for the students. It would be advantageous to introduce guidelines when students start at AAU, just like PBL," says Kristian Nielsen.

AI for exams

Educational institutions in Denmark are currently discussing whether exams should be made more restrictive due to students' use of generative AI. This could be done, for example, by replacing exams written at home with exams written on campus without the use of aids.

This topic was also debated during AI Day at AAU Business School. According to Kristian Nielsen, it would be helpful to make the discussion more nuanced by focusing on how to construct exam questions and what the questions entail in different modules.

"In some cases, it makes sense to allow all aids, including generative AI, and construct the questions and assessment based on that. In others, it doesn't. It depends a lot on the individual exam and the specific learning objectives," says Kristian Nielsen.

A good start to knowledge sharing and experimentation

According to Kristian Nielsen, the internal AI Day at AAU Business School is a good start to knowledge sharing and experiments with AI in teaching among staff.

"We have a very good basis for assessing the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to teaching. The next step is for the course coordinators to discuss in their academic environments what impact AI will have on learning objectives, teaching activities and exams, so that our degree programmes are at the forefront of development," says Kristian Nielsen.

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.