The use of Artificial Intelligence has been accelerating across sectors and, while this has significant transformational potential, the rapid adoption of this technology poses questions around how its principles of use can be communicated for mutual understanding, and how it can be applied ethically.
BAIBEL (Building Artificial Intelligence Based Education Languages) is an initiative that seeks to gain greater understanding of what AI means to different groups in and around higher education, to explore the ethical implications of the technology, and to create a platform for developing a commonly understood language for this area through cross-sectoral collaboration.
Through looking at how academics, professional staff, students and industry professionals understand AI technologies and their implications, the research team will be addressing our question “What Comes After the UN Sustainable Development Goals?” through the lenses of Culture (the missing pillar), and balancing the risks and rewards of transformative technology.
“Although phrases like AI competence and equitable use of AI are becoming increasingly prevalent, these often tend to mean different things for different people. Unpacking these terms from the lens of different stakeholders in higher education is pivotal to enable inclusive and constructive use of AI in the sector.” – Dr Manoj Ravi, co-lead of BAIBEL
“BAIBEL, through the ‘AI and YOU in HE’ workshops, invites a broad-spectrum of voices with varying degrees of interests and expertise in AI technologies from across the university to share their experiences, views and concerns about AI and to help shape the future direction of AI in a way that there is a shared understanding of terms such as ‘equitable’ and ‘ethical’.” – Kashmir Kaur, co-lead of BAIBEL
“Whilst AI can be used effectively and legitimately across all types of teaching, research and administration, there are currently few guiding principles that acknowledge the link between AI and culture. Higher education is a complex and diverse landscape with a rich community of academics, professional services and technical staff and students representing a wide array of distinct cultures and outlooks. With such a dynamic mix of experiences we need to be sure that the language we use can be mutually used and equally understood.” – Dr Matt Bawn, co-lead of BAIBEL
“The concept of Artificial Intelligence is very wide. Different communities understand and use AI in ways that are not directly comparable, but which fit within the same broad umbrella. Such variety of perspectives supports the wide applicability of BAIBEL. While it may be challenging to bridge the gap completely due to the diverse perspectives and priorities involved, efforts can be made to establish a shared vocabulary that accommodates various viewpoints. In the long run BAIBEL will foster interdisciplinary collaborations, bringing together experts from STEM and non-STEM fields on shared AI projects. BAIBEL has the potential to establish standardized terminology for key AI concepts to reduce ambiguity and facilitate communication, lowering language barriers between technical and non-technical stakeholders.” – Dr Luisa Cutillo, co-lead of BAIBEL
“Skills in critical thinking and evaluating information generated by AI tools are vital for students’ university success and future employability. BAIBEL’s workshop discussions will play a key role in establishing commonly understood principles for training in these skills, and for using generative AI effectively and ethically in the future.” – Dr Clare Wright, co-lead of BAIBEL
Project co-leads
Further information
Visit the Faculty of Biological Sciences to read more on BAIBEL, in Embedding an inclusive approach to Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
If you would like more information about this project, please email the Horizons Institute at horizons@leeds.ac.uk.