Artificial intelligence: a companion to learning

Have you heard about the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence and wonder how you can use it in your studies?

This guide will cover:

• What is Artificial Intelligence?

• How is it appropriate to use AI tools in your studies?

• What are the ethical issues in using these tools?

Generative Artificial Intelligence Overview

Artificial Intelligence study tools should be seen as a companion to learning but be careful how you use them

• Generative AI creates online content, including text, images, code, and music.
• Examples include ChatGPT, Google Bard, Microsoft CoPilot, and Adobe Firefly.
• Technology rapidly evolves, with new options emerging frequently.

Tasks AI Performs:

• AI performs tasks requiring human intelligence, such as writing, generating images, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation.
• AI creates machines that "think" and "learn" like humans using algorithms.
• Algorithms process data, drawing conclusions.

Artificial Intelligence tools are constantly evolving and so is advice about how and when to use them. Please keep checking this page or with your module tutor for the most up-to-date guidance.

What are the limitations of Artificial Intelligence Study Tools?

Teesside University outlines the following as limitations of Artificial intelligence Study Tools:

Challenges in Student Learning

• Learning loss risk:

  • Main challenge is "learning loss" 

  • Learners should build knowledge from their own activities.

  • Learners should have a deep learning approach, using previous knowledge to solve new problems.

• Concerns with AI Use

  • Using AI wrongly can lead to "learning loss" by skipping key learning steps.

• Artificial Intelligence study tools bias 

  • GenAI may produce biased content based on biased internet data, including political and geographical bias

  • Students need education to critically evaluate algorithms and mitigate biases.

  • Students should understand the need to promote diversity and inclusion

Prompt engineering

Printable guide about creating prompts.

You need to think critically about why you are using AI tools and the outputs they produce.

Tests to evaluate Gen AI:

• Use the ROBOT test: Ask thoughtful questions to analyse the AI.
• Try SWOT analysis: A method to assess if AI is suitable.

Tests to evaluate outputs:

• Follow the EVERY test: Five steps to use generative AI effectively.
• Apply the Critical Evaluation checklist: Helps check the reliability of any information source.

Upcoming sessions:

You do not have to book onto the workshop as attendance is on a first come first served basis.

• Online (Microsoft Teams): 13th October 2025, 12:00-13:00: Link to join session

If you need further information or any adjustments to fully access our sessions, please contact libraryhelp@tees.ac.uk in advance. 

Previously recorded session:

In order to avoid academic misconduct, you should be evidencing the search that you have undertaken to find the resources to support your assignment and bibliography.

It is advisable to speak to your tutor to check how they would like this information presenting in your work. 

You can take a screenshot of your search strategy from the ‘Recent activity’ screen in the database(s) using:

• In built tools in Windows or Mac devices
• Browser extensions such as Go Full Page:
  • Chrome
  • Edge

You should also keep all the updated drafts of your work to evidence changes that you have made.

Referencing Use of AI Tools

Harvard Guidance on Cite them right

• Cite Them Right provides Harvard guidance on referencing Generative AI.

Click the icon below to view an online reading list of additional resources and further reading.

We are very interested to hear your views about the workshop you attended and would welcome your feedback. Please complete the form below:

This work is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Deed.