Michelle ThompsonProminent figures from the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) convened in Londonderry for a conference to deliberate on the effects of this technology on the field of education.
Attendees at Ulster University’s Magee Campus were presented with insights from notable organizations such as Microsoft and the National Centre for AI, among other contributors.
During the conference, GenAIEdu organized workshops to delve into the processes by which AI platforms create educational content.
Furthermore, the conference addressed the evolving role of AI within the higher education sector.
This three-day event features a diverse range of speakers who will delve into the prospective advantages of AI for individuals engaged in coding, digital design, and various industries.
Monday’s speakers included Sue Attewell, a co-leader at the National Centre for AI in tertiary education, and Dr. Cris Bloomfield, a senior industry architect at Microsoft.
Additionally, attendees on Monday had the opportunity to listen to Manjinder Kainth, a co-founder and CEO of Graide, a platform that employs AI to enhance assessment and feedback processes.
“The advent of AI is poised to usher in substantial transformations.”
Professor Colin Turner, a member of Ulster University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment, emphasized that the future of AI will introduce both challenges and opportunities.
He stated, “I think, like many technological advancements, such as the worldwide web, AI will bring about significant changes. Some of these changes will pose challenges, but there will also be numerous opportunities.”
Prof Turner expressed the importance of engaging in a candid dialogue about the challenges, ethical considerations, and the need to ensure benefits for students and the industry, both regionally and beyond.
In May, educators from the UK’s public and private sectors described developments in AI as “bewildering” and noted that AI represents both a significant threat and potential benefit to students, staff, and schools.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the need for evolving regulations in tandem with the rapid changes in AI.
Prof Turner stressed the importance of striking a balance in the approach to AI, ensuring that the university’s research and curriculum at the Derry/Londonderry campus prepare the industry for these changes rather than catching up with them.
Additionally, a group representing the software industry in Northern Ireland suggested that the region could serve as a testing center for AI in the UK. This comes after Belfast-based IT firm Kainos announced a £10 million investment in developing the use of generative AI in its business.
