Eduvos Embraces AI to Shape the Future of Higher Education.

Post by Eduvos, May 28, 2024.

As the world embraces the transformative power of technology, we are proactively harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to equip students with the skills and expertise needed to thrive and meet the demands of the future workforce.  

AI holds immense promise for higher education, offering opportunities to augment the learning experience to facilitate students’ learning, streamline administrative processes, and adapt the curriculum to meet the evolving needs of learners. Recognising this potential, we are embracing AI as a transformative tool to revolutionise the educational experience for our Vossies. 

According to PwC’s 2023 Higher Education Leaders Survey, almost all South African tertiary institution leaders view artificial intelligence as an opportunity rather than a threat. Despite this, very few institutions have started to incorporate AI into their learning. This is where we stand out. 

As an institution, we are taking proactive steps to ensure our curricula are AI-responsive. Students will increasingly be prompted to use AI as a supportive tool in their learning, based on clear guidelines on responsible and ethical AI usage. Students will be encouraged to generate AI chatbot prompts in the context of their module, but to critically evaluate the AI-generated content – thereby becoming better informed about the capabilities and limitations of AI in their field of study. Academic content writers are also exploring ways to use AI as a tool to improve accessibility and clarity, e.g. to test whether assignments are clear and can be understood by any student.  

According to the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2023, technology adoption will remain a key driver of business transformation in the next five years. Over 85% of organisations surveyed identify increased adoption of new and frontier technologies and broadening digital access as the trends most likely to drive transformation in their organisation. 

"It is imperative that we equip our students with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in a world fundamentally transformed by AI, and to excel in future careers that will be shaped by other technology disruptions that we cannot yet fathom," said Dr. Mine de Klerk, National Manager of Design & Future Learning. "We want to instill a sense of openness and curiosity in our students, so that they can harness the vast potential of AI. We also want to ensure they remain critical about these tools. To achieve this balance, we retain a strong focus on the values that should underpin AI usage. Ultimately, our objective is our graduates to demonstrate a commitment to the informed, responsible, ethical and transparent use of current and future AI tools in their lifelong learning and careers.” 

Our approach to integrating AI into higher education is grounded in ethics and adaptability. The institution is taking a proactive stance by engaging its faculty and staff in discussions about AI, fostering AI literacy among students, and incorporating AI into the curriculum in creative and meaningful ways. 

"We believe that AI should  leverage, not replace, the human element of education," added Dr. de Klerk. "While AI can facilitate more personalised learning experiences and streamline administrative tasks, it's essential to maintain a balance and ensure that learning remains a human endeavour grounded in critical thinking, imagination, and problem-solving." 

To support our AI initiatives, we established a dedicated AI committee comprising academic staff, student representatives, student and staff support personnel, and IT professionals – amongst others. This committee is responsible for exploring the risks, policies, and opportunities associated with AI implementation and ensuring that Eduvos remains at the forefront of AI-related educational innovation. 

"Our commitment to academic integrity remains unwavering, and we are updating our policies to address the unique challenges and opportunities posed by AI," stated Dr. de Klerk. "By fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and adaptability, we are positioning Eduvos as a leader in leveraging AI to shape the future of higher education." 

Taking our initiatives further, our very own Dr. Miné de Klerk and Dr. Riaan Steenberg will be keynote speakers at Braintree's Surface and Copilot Education Days in June. These events will take place in Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay and Johannesburg in June. Sign up for the event to join in the conversation. 

Event Dates  
Cape Town: 5 June 2024 at Crystal Towers  
Nelson Mandela Bay: 6 June 2024 at Southern Sun, The Marine  
Johannesburg: 12 June 2024 at Focus Rooms, Sandton, Johannesburg 

We invite collaboration with industry and corporate partners to further expand our AI initiatives and enhance the learning experience for students. By embracing AI responsibly and proactively, we empower students to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. 

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