As the Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the University of Wolverhampton, I am keen to adopt AI into the operation of the University in support of the delivery of the ‘University Strategy 2035 – Creating Opportunity, Transforming Futures’. 

The Strategy positions the University to become one of the most efficient in the sector by 2035, to deliver high levels of student satisfaction and equitable outcomes and to be a leading institution around environmental sustainability.  

There is no doubt that AI can assist in supporting the delivery of these strategc priorities and can, for example, support targeted marketing, screening of applications, enhance admissions (especially ID verification), help the identification of students that are disengaging or struggling, offer much more personalised learning and skills development and access to 24/7 learning tools and support.  

The advent of ChatGPT is also driving the University to review its approach to assessment.  We are keen to develop a new Curriculum Framework that designs micro-industry placements each year around which assessments can be designed.  Such authentic assessment, which requires reflection in practice and the production of a portfolio, will make it much harder for students to misuse AI.  

While the many benefits to operational efficiency, an enhanced student experience and more effective use of staff time are likely, the incorporation of AI into University systems, process, pedagogy, student support, etc. is not straight-forward.  Issues of ethics, data integrity, data ownership, algorithm bias leading to inequity, less human interaction in the learning process, the excessive use of energy to operate AI servers, etc. will need careful consideration.  If the risks are not well managed, the strategic priority of delivering equitable outcomes for our students, becoming more environmentally sustainable and being an employer of choice will be compromised.  In view of this, the University will proceed with caution in its adoption of AI.

Professor Ebrahim Adia
Vice-Chancellor and CEO
University of Wolverhampton