On November 9, 2023, AUN faculty member Dr. Ahmed Abubakar presented a thought-provoking paper titled "Generative AI for Teaching and Research: Opportunities and Challenges" at the semester's penultimate session of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship's (SBE) Brown Bag Seminar Series, held in the SAS Faculty Lounge.
Dr. Ahmed, an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Accounting and Finance Department, explored the available Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools useful to academic teaching, learning, and research. However, the controversial topic aroused a debate among participants about whether AI can be perceived as a threat capable of facing academic professors or as a tool that enhances academic teaching, learning, and research.
Dr. Ahmed highlighted the most academic-friendly AI tools in his paper, including ChatGTP, Scispace, Litmaps, Google, and many others. He also stated that different types and versions of these apps with better function ability are being developed at a fast pace to aid users. However, he warned that being dependent on such applications can alter the quality of academic works and ruin the reputation of authors if not correctly used, with all sources and references verified.
He listed some of AI's advantages or opportunities: possibility engine, Socratic opponent, collaborative coach, guide on the side, personal tutor, study buddy, co-designer, Exploratorium, and dynamic assessor.
The professor highlighted some AI challenges, such as academic integrity, lack of regulation, privacy concerns, cognitive bias, accessibility, commercialization, gender, and diversity.
He concluded in his presentation that while AI should be encouraged among students and researchers as a guide and means of academic learning and data gathering, all references provided by AI MUST be verified to avoid plagiarism, misinformation, legal issues, and ruining academic integrity. He also urged the schools' management to find ways around using AI in teaching, learning, and researching by formulating rules and regulations that facilitate the effective use of AI in teaching, learning, and researching.
Reported by John Abah