Higher education needs to prepare students for future careers in a world of rapidly-advancing technology by equipping them with practice-based knowledge and skills, as well as the confidence to transfer these into the workplace.
With much focus on the immediate challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence, including on assessment and academic conduct, this project instead looks forward to considering the opportunities for authentic learning. How can we deliver an education that acknowledges and embraces Artificial Intelligence, equipping learners for the world of work that is already using these technologies?
This project team will work with businesses to establish how they currently use AI in the workplace and the associated skills required for this – and how they see this evolving over the next five years. In turn, this will inform the development of live briefs, a bank of learning and assessment resources and guidance for staff and students.
At the heart of the project is a cross-institution partnership with students, to ensure all outputs are relevant for both students and staff across the sector.
Take part in the research
The project team are using a survey to collect data about how local businesses are using artificial intelligence tools in their operations. The information will support outgoing students in preparation for employability and life in the workplace.
Please forward this survey to any contacts you have who work or own a small to medium sized business – perhaps those working in your careers and employability teams can help.
Please refer to the Project information overview for additional information about the research, including who should take part.
Project approach
The project team will explore this topic by:
- Undertaking an employer survey, focus groups and interviews
- Empowering students to work with local businesses to produce employer-led live briefs and authentic, employability-based assessment tasks that either:
- contain analysis of AI use in specific business sectors (e.g. law, finance, marketing), or;
- get students to use AI technologies in an authentic assessment task
Planned outputs
- A bank of resources, including a learning exercise and a suggested assessment for each theme identified (co-produced with students)
- A symposium in autumn 2024
- A webinar and an accompanying blog
- A conference paper that will be delivered at LTSE CABS Conference in May 2025.
Lead institution: University of Brighton
Partner institution: University of the West of England and Liverpool John Moores University
Other Collaborative Enhancement Projects
QAA supports a number of projects every year, covering a range of topics and interest areas. Each is led by a QAA Member, working in collaboration with other members institutions. You can find more information on all projects, and access resources and outputs, on our website.