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Artificial Intelligence: A Companion to Learning

Top tips for using Artificial Intelligence Study Tools

Workshops

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

This workshop 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?

It is a generic workshop not tailored to a specific subject area. Students from any discipline are welcome.  

Workshop dates:

Face to Face Session (at Middlesbrough Campus)

  • Monday 14th October 2024, 12pm noon - 1pm (12:00 - 13:00), Room: T1.02 (Middlesbrough Campus)

Online workshop

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

Workshop materials and handouts

Workshop PowerPoint Slides                        

Prompt Engineering

Printable guide about creating prompts   

Video recording of workshop

Recorded 18/11/24

Link to video for critical writing workshop recording          

Critically evaluating Gen AI

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:

Robot Test

The ROBOT test helps you think critically about AI. It was created by Amanda Wheatley and Sandy Hervieux from McGill University. 

Steps to follow:

  • Choose a Gen AI tool and answer the questions in each section of the test.

Reliability

  • How reliable is the information about the AI tool?
  • If it's from an outside source, what are the author's credentials? Is there bias?
  • If it's from the company behind the AI, how much info do they share?
  • Is some information hidden due to trade secrets?
  • How biased is the information provided?

Tips:

  • Look for information on the AI tool's official website. Is it easy to find and clear?
  • Check if the tool is designed to give reliable content. Always fact-check the output.

Objective

  • What is the goal of using the AI tool?
  • Why is information about it being shared?
    • To inform?
    • To convince?
    • To get financial support?

Tip:

  • Think about the purpose the AI tool was created for. Does it match how you're using it?
  • For example, ChatGPT was made by OpenAI. What is their mission and purpose? What did they want people to do with the tool they made?

Bias

  • What could cause bias in the AI tool?
  • Are there any ethical concerns related to this?
  • Is bias or are ethical issues recognized?
    • By the information source?
    • By the company behind the AI?
    • By the users?

Ownership

  • Who owns or developed the AI tool?
  • Who is responsible for it?
    • A private company?
    • The government?
    • A research group or think tank?
  • Who can access and use it?

Tips:

  • Think about the owner's motivations. How could this affect the AI tool?

Type

  • What subtype of AI is it?
  • Is the technology still theoretical or is it being used in real life?
  • What kind of information system does it use?
  • Does it need human help to work?

SWOT analysis

Strengths

  • Will using this tool make my work better?
  • Is the output generated quickly?
  • Does the output relate to my current project?

Weaknesses

  • Will relying too much on this tool hurt my learning, understanding, critical thinking, creativity, or work ethic?
  • Will I have to pay to use the tool?
  • How effective is the tool? Are there any risks or problems I should know about? Are there any privacy issues?

Opportunities

  • Will using this tool help me improve my work and learn better?
  • How can the tool support my learning?

Threats

  • Will not fully disclosing the use of AI lead to academic dishonesty?
  • Can I trust that the output is factual and unbiased?
  • Will using this tool take away or limit my learning opportunities?

Referencing Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

Referencing Use of AI Tools

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

Using material on this page