The UK’s first senior university leader dedicated solely to artificial intelligence is looking at embedding the technology into the curriculum and exploring options that could see students assessed on their capabilities in this area. As part of efforts to create “AI literate graduates”, Shushma Patel, pro vice-chancellor for artificial intelligence at De Montfort University, said one of her key priorities for the role – thought to be the first of its kind in the sector – was to “consider how we could embed a learning objective or a learning outcome within the curriculum where we recommend students use AI technologies”. The computer scientist said universities needed to encourage students to use AI in their studies, or risk graduates falling behind, adding that she was interested in looking at introducing assessments that would test students’ AI capabilities.
