The rapid advancement of AI technologies holds the potential to revolutionise research, teaching and administration. The potential of AI to optimise university work is undeniable. In research, tools can streamline data analysis and identify research trends, while in teaching, AI can enable personalised learning experiences and tailored pedagogy. At the same time, AI has cast a transformative shadow, presenting challenges and threats that demand immediate attention. University executives are grappling with formulating policies that harness the benefits of AI while addressing concerns such as ethics, data security, and the authenticity of academic work. National grant bodies are considering the implications for funding processes and have developed early policies addressing academic integrity. The potential workload and staffing implications of AI are also on the agenda. Rigorous research on current trends can inform these responses.
This project aims to:
- Address the current knowledge deficit by providing baseline evidence of the extent and nature of AI adoption by Australian University staff;
- Estimate the impact of AI on research, teaching and administration productivity across distinct groups of university staff;
- Identify AI-driven practices in specific domains, including assessment methods, learning analytics, course design, student support, literature reviews, data analysis and visualisation, research design, text summarisation, citation management, administration, collaboration and networking; and
- Inform higher education policy and practice that balances the efficiency potential of AI, with core principles of integrity, innovation and excellence.
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