Project Lead: Dr James Fern, Department for Health

Large language models (LLM’s) (e.g., ChatGPT) are a branch of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) designed to understand and interact with humans using natural language. GenAI is already being used in academia in several ways. For example, generating text for guidance documents and presentations and setting formative assessment tasks and quizzes (UNESCO, 2023). Students can use GenAI to help answer specific questions and explain concepts/theories, and to help with assessments. Concerns about the use of GenAI and academic integrity are understandable and will likely influence the modes of assessment that staff implement in the future. GenAI has the potential to introduce innovative tools and methodologies to enhance teaching and assessment, and therefore the learning experience of students in higher education (HE). This project aims to explore HE students’, staff and employers’ experiences, perceptions and expectations of GenAI, focusing on LLM’s specifically. The outcomes of this work can inform the guidance and support that is provided to staff and students around engaging with GenAI effectively and ethically. It is hoped that the input from employers will inform future curriculum design and content choices linked to GenAI, as we seek to prepare students for an increasingly GenAI driven future.

Project finding due Autumn 2025