A multi-pronged approach to embracing and also protecting against AI where necessary has led to widespread change at the University of Sydney.
The University’s comprehensive approach to addressing the opportunities and challenges of AI have led to the University of Sydney being shortlisted in the AI University of the Year category of the 2024 Future Campus awards.
Program Manager of Generative Artificial Intelligence at the University of Sydney, Dr Henry Lydecker said.
“Generative AI is inevitable. Its forward march creates enormous opportunities for strategic transformation at the University of Sydney across our teaching, research and operations – but it also presents unprecedented risks,” Dr Lydecker said.
“We realised that we need to embrace the potential of AI to support our students with the best possible experience and outcomes, enable our researchers to solve new and exciting problems, and build a better place to work for our academic and professional staff.
The University’s approach, coordinated by the central AI team included:
- Identifying the best learning and teaching tools to equip graduates for the future of work
- Implement a two-lane approach to assessment, focusing on authentic measure of learning outcomes and competencies
- Building staff AI capacity
- Position the university as a global leader in AI research by attracting talent, securing research funding and fostering innovative projects
- Improve operational efficiency through use of AI
The university implemented a Policy Navigator project, developed collaboratively by the legal, IT and informatics teams, developed framework for using AI ethically, while the university rolled out an AI Copilot to 90,000 staff and students in 2024. Cogniti was developed to empower academic staff to use AI in learning and teaching and the university collaborated with Microsoft and Amazon to support and underpin technological requirements.
Almost 10,000 students attended AI training in the first quarter of 2024, the University established a new partnership with Microsoft based on practical and safe AI applications and expert working groups helped roll initiatives out across the institution.
