Presentation Summary
This session will challenge current discourses around the impact AI has, and has had, on universities from a practical perspective, focusing on real risks, opportunities and use cases. Topics include AI’s role in advancing assessment methods, changes in pedagogical approaches, and student engagement, as well as critical issues like data security risks, and institutional readiness for the adoption and integration of AI.
Use cases, risks and opportunities AI posed to the sector
Risk/opportunity - Risk is plagiarism. Opportunity is new pedagogical approaches, particularly around assessment.
Risk/opportunity – Risk is assuming AI can take the place of what is considered low grade customer service. Student experiences are often about humans and human interactions. Opportunity – what can AI do to free people up to spend more time with students. (Academic or PS contact time). AI will always be bad at moral decisions.
Risk/opportunity - risk is that people put sensitive data into an LLM and don’t realise they have given away data that could be then shared with others. Opportunity is that one day, AI might be able to do something with all of the bad data we hold.
Real world examples of how Universities using AI.
AI in chatbox functions to enable faster responses to student/customer enquiries.
AI proofreading software – to help students proof read their work.
AI Governance – responsible/ethical use of AI/centralising use of AI for full visibility and compliance.
AI Approaches – in digital learning strategies and to improve the pedagogical experience.
Food For Thought for Session Attendees – If you’ve still not implemented the basic 365 functions (e.g. still have spreadsheets on local drives or handwritten docs) are you ready to have this conversation at all?
Meet the Speaker
Moon Yates
Delivery Lead, Higher Education, Waterstons
Moon Yates is an accomplished leader in the higher education and technology sectors and brings a wealth of experience to her role as Higher Education Delivery Lead at Waterstons, a UK- and Australia based IT and Cyber Consultancy. Moon specialises in helping universities hardness the power of technology to achieve their strategic goals, enhance operational efficiencies and drive innovation.
At Waterstons, Moon leads transformative projects across the higher education landscape, including digital and AI strategy development, process optimisation, and operating model enhancement. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the education sector, paired with a passion for enabling institutions to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Moons capabilities and expertise allows her to foster impactful and long-lasting partnerships with Universities across the UK and Australia. Her expertise and guidance makes her a trusted advisor in the higher education sector, empowering universities to navigate complex challenges, embrace innovation, and achieve sustainable success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
