In recent years, universities have paid increasing attention to the writing process, emphasizes Christa Schnabel, Vice-Rector of the University of Vienna and Chair of the Teaching Forum at the University Conference (uniko). After all, artificial intelligence is neither new in teaching nor in research. The new hype around software like ChatGPT is now driving the further development that the end-to-end process (i.e. finding the topic, researching and presenting the results) is being taken more into consideration. “Overall, this is a positive development,” Schnabel said.
Also in universities of applied sciences, the accompanying process of writing and thinking in the group about what is written will become “much more important,” predicts Andreas Brennbauer, dean of the university of applied sciences at the Bahrain Food Industries Institute. Vienna and spokesman for the Teaching Committee at the University of Applied Sciences (FHK) Conference. It is also likely that the defense of bachelor's and master's theses will be intensified and expanded in order to make faking scientific achievements more difficult, Breinbauer said. “The whole point is independence of action.”
No more pure literary work
The subject matter must also change in universities of applied sciences, and there will no longer be any purely literary work. “It doesn't make sense. AI can do it better.” Instead, he will focus more on our problems, applications and case studies – although Brennbauer also sees problems arising from AI in the medium term. Data and interviews could also be falsified, and sifting through them would be “extremely difficult.”
The challenge is really big because, unlike plagiarism detection software, AI detection software quickly reaches its limits. Such a program is still used at his university of applied sciences – “also to signal that we are looking forward to implementing it”. There are similar plans in other universities of applied sciences.
Schnabel, vice-chancellor of the University of Vienna, is more reserved here, since all the AI text-generating tools are the same ones used in the detection. “It's a circle you participate in.” What will be crucial, however, is for teachers to assess whether the work submitted is an independent achievement, based on their experiences of the course or examinations. If there is any doubt, a presentation may be required as well as a discussion in the course accompanying the undergraduate theses. From the Master's thesis onwards, the defense is compulsory in any case.
Artificial intelligence is actively used
In universities of applied sciences, a presentation is already required as a standard for a bachelor's degree. How final theses can be specifically adapted to the new challenges presented by artificial intelligence can be seen in the study area of Management and Entrepreneurship at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences at WKW: there, each student still has to write an independent bachelor's thesis. However, from next academic year, the creation process will be further integrated into the assessment paper at the end, as well as the work itself.
The development of undergraduate theses is divided into smaller tasks, for example theoretical unit tests or development of concepts and questions, which are then presented and discussed in the group. University of Florida President Pete Hooper emphasized in a written statement that artificial intelligence “will not be avoided.” Instead, it is actively used at certain stages of the development of the work – “but always in a controlled and critically reflective way”. The use must also be disclosed and critically examined in accordance with the principles of good scientific practice.
There is currently no discussion in universities about completely eliminating written theses due to the new challenges presented by artificial intelligence programs. Instead, according to Brennbauer, universities of applied sciences rely on regulations for the use of AI, also with the aim of addressing challenges such as copyright, data protection, gender distortions, diversity and equal access to new technology (keyword: free and paid versions). It is constantly improved. The University of Vienna has also released comprehensive guidelines for dealing with AI in teaching, and you can also find posts about this topic on the homepages of other universities.
Treating AI as a “core competency”
First of all, it is also about how to use AI sensibly and responsibly. After all, handling and using artificial intelligence has become a key competency and the goal is to optimally prepare students for their careers, Brennbauer emphasized. AI can at least relieve teachers and students of a lot of work, for example by structuring data or creating graphics.
At universities, it will depend on what type of use of AI is considered legitimate, and how extensively the software is used in teaching, says Vice Chancellor Schnabel. But one thing is certain: “Our mission as a university is to exercise a constructive and critical approach in dealing with this issue.” This is also largely the line of other universities.
