Department is developing an AI course for new students
New students at the Department of Political Science will be introduced to how they can use AI in their studies without cheating themselves out of what matters most – namely, reading and understanding the texts.
Artificial Intelligence is here, there, and everywhere. This is also the case at Aarhus University, where work is being carried out across the board to explore what the new technology will mean for everything from research to exams and cyber security.
At the Department of Political Science, they are taking the bull by the horns this summer and developing an introductory course for new students, says Professor of Political Science Rune Stubager.
“The course is designed to equip new students with the skills to study using AI in a way that doesn’t prevent them from becoming more knowledgeable.” “AI is a tool that can be used, but it cannot replace the basics,” says Rune Stubager.
It is still not entirely clear exactly what the course will cover, but over the summer, a student instructor at the department will be working specifically on putting the course together.
“We regard it as a natural part of the degree programme to equip students with the skills to study effectively, and thus also to use the tools available – such as AI – in an appropriate manner. We’re already seeing that the use of AI is in full swing, and it’s certainly not all good,” says Rune Stubager.
The aim is for all new students at the department to take the AI course as part of their first semester. Many of the course elements will be of a general nature, but the course is also tailored to the department’s degree programmes. "The key thing is that students understand the importance of actually reading the texts," emphasises Rune Stubager.
“In our degree programmes, a form of brainwashing takes place, designed to help develop a specific way of reading and understanding a text. That is why it is important for students to dive in and actually read the texts, because that is how, over time and almost imperceptibly, their brains develop the perspective needed. They won’t achieve that if they simply ask an AI to produce a half-page summary and then think they’re prepared. Then they lose the ability to read and understand the text for themselves,” he says.
Aims to alleviate uncertainty
Gradually, the university is beginning to receive cohorts from secondary schools where AI has been available throughout their entire upper secondary education. And many current students are already actively experimenting with the almost limitless possibilities of artificial intelligence.
“We also have a strong sense that there is a great deal of uncertainty amongst students about what is and isn’t allowed. And the current use of AI that we are seeing is not always entirely appropriate. We’re also finding that there’s a great deal of demand for answers, and we’re trying to meet that demand with this course,” says Rune Stubager.
After the summer holidays, all new students will have to complete the AI introduction course, but if the experience proves positive, the course may be extended to all students at the department.
This text is machine translated and post-edited by Mie Skov Jeppesen.