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Generative AI is poised to take higher education by storm to improve the educational experiences of both instructors and students through immediate learning support, improved course design, deeper student engagement, more experiential learning, and personalization. But it’s early days yet. Instructors and students are trying to figure out generative AI’s role. The question is not if — they likely already are using it — but how they’ll apply it, with the emphasis squarely on how to do so responsibly.
Generative AI promises to help instructors optimize their time with students and create more effective learning experiences. Generative AI is a transformative force, capable of streamlining everything from grading assignments to creating comprehensive lecture materials, automating routine tasks such as test-question generation, and enabling instructors to spend more time working with students during office hours and doing research.
Yet the potential of generative AI extends far beyond task automation. It holds promise for fostering personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs through the creation of bespoke study aids, immersive simulations, and adaptive tutoring systems, and creates new opportunities in areas ranging from course development to in-class activities to learning assessments.
However, of course, it’s important to proceed with caution. Colleges and universities using generative AI must develop clear governance and strong policies emphasizing responsible use of the technology while addressing accuracy, fairness, bias, privacy, and other concerns. Above all, they must maintain human oversight of all generative AI activities to ensure that the technology is used responsibly.
This Strategy Guide examines current and future use cases for the responsible use of generative AI in higher education, describing the benefits and best practices as well as potential pitfalls to avoid. It also explains how institutions of higher learning can get started and achieve measurable results now while building strong foundations for future success.