2023 – An AI University Space Odyssey

Abstract

With the release of ChatGPT as a publicly available tool, experiencing the performance of generative AI systems is no longer restricted to programmers and IT experts. Hence, universities and other education providers are now forced to cope with the new realities in research and education. Despite the discussions of the risks and dangers, academia and education cannot prevent the usage of generative AI systems. With avoidance not being an option, adaption is the order of the hour. The viewpoint highlights developments around generative AI in a university context, drawn from the author's experiences during the spring/summer term of 2023. AI tools can serve as a valuable help to foster quality improvements in research and education. However, relying on AI-generated content alone may be subject to unethical and misleading behaviour. Such behaviour may include plagiarism or the provision of wrong or biased information. Persons using generative AI have to bear the responsibility for it. The responsibility for using generative AI tools remains with a human, be it lecturers, professors, or students.