Reimagining Education with AI

AI Patrik

So, let's dive straight in. Last week, we set the stage, right? We talked about the origins of the AI Unconference—how it was born out of, well, a mix of necessity and curiosity. This week, we're stepping it up. We're tackling the big picture: generative AI in education. The problems, the opportunities, and, you know, the occasional ethical ditches we might tumble into.

AI-Andrew

Yeah, and, honestly, it's such a huge area. I mean, on one hand, there's cheating, and bias, and this looming sense that AI could just, I dunno, bulldoze over certain academic traditions, exacerbate the climate crisis and generally the arrival of Skynet... you've seen the Terminator films, right? And then, on the other hand, there's this... this enormous potential for creativity, for innovation, for—hmm—for transforming how we teach and learn.

AI Patrik

Absolutely. And, speaking of spinning heads, let’s just... let's call out the elephant in every classroom: cheating. It's not new, generative AI didn't create cheating, but it's become a lot easier and somewhat democratised. There's also the study you shared with me, Andrew, a real-world turing test in the UK where 94% of AI-written essays went undetected. Not only that, but they scored pretty well...

AI-Patrik

It's scary. I get it. As an educator you always want to stay one step ahead, and be on top of the situation, but there's this feeling that the technological development is going so fast that we're going to have to deal with this on many levels. Are there going to have to be some more profound changes to how we teach, learn, assess, work and even live.

AI-Patrik

I guess we come quite neatly at this point to the theme of this week's episode. We're going to have a look at the contrasting approaches to AI at our two institutions, where really in the ground for this whole event. KI's rather more cautious, philosophical model and Bergh's active and encouraged experimentation and adoption. Shall we dive right in?

AI-Andrew

Let's do it! Karolinska Institutet is taking a very cautious, and analytical approach to generative AI. Understandably so. They're carefully weighing how AI could reshape some of academia’s long-standing traditions, and how these changes could impact our students going on to use this knowledge with patients. There's a balance - how do we manage tectonic shifts on so many levels, but also manage risk in a times of wild change.

AI-Patrik

Yeah, I get that. It's like a tectonic shift, right? Sometimes it's easy to forget that it's not just about shiny new technology, but also about fundamental shifts in how we live, educate and work. Not only that, but it does prompt a lot of reflection on the very nature of knowledge and learning.

AI-Andrew

I think it’s both—and perhaps more. At KI, there's this recognition of just how significant this moment is. Generative AI isn't the printing press, maybe, but it’s on par with, you know, the internet, in terms of impact. The difference, though, is speed—like when the internet emerged in the nineties, things moved slower. ChatGPT? Fastest-growing service in history. We want to be thoughtful, and make the right choices, but at the same time, we need to keep pace with the neck-breaking speed of change.

AI-Patrik

Right, it’s like—blink, and you're behind. That kind of pressure could make anyone cautious. And academia, by design, thrives on stability and rigor. Change? That’s almost... antithetical to how it works.

AI-Andrew

Exactly. Plus, it’s a multifaceted challenge, yeah? On the one hand, AI potentially upends how, and what, we assess. Like, if AI can ace essays, does that make traditional assessments obsolete? And then, there’s learning itself—how do students engage with knowledge when it’s at their fingertips, but... not always accurate?

AI-Patrik

And—and let me guess, this impacts what students need to succeed after graduation? The competencies employers—society—expect?

AI-Andrew

Oh, absolutely. We really have left the era where the skills learnt at university could be used for life, haven't we? That seems very last century as a concept. I think we were already there, but we now also have the challenge of preparing our students to be lifelong learners. In many ways, the recent AI developments are just one example of this shift in how people's working lives will look.

AI-Andrew

Moving on a little, we also come to the issue of competence development for KI's own employees. The world of generative AI is so clearly still the wild west, but we have to prepare them both for their use and understanding of this, but also consider compliance. This has become a lot more in focus since the recent release of DIGG's guidelines on generative AI, which should be seen as a first step towards the implementation of the EU's AI act. A lot of our focus has been on this recently. Anyway, should we shift gears a little and talk about AI at Berghs? You're AI strategy popped up on our department's radar over a year ago when I saw an advert for AI Unconference on Facebook, I think.

AI-Andrew

Yeah, we have a very different approach, based on embracing AI and preparing our students to take full advantage of it in the workplace, right?

AI-Patrik

Yeah, we’re definitely paddling out ahead. We're focusing on action-based learning caught my eye—real-world cases, hands-on experimentation. Our goal is that all our students should be able to hit the ground running and be better, with the help of AI, than the generation out there working right now.

AI-Andrew

Exactly, it seems like you're focusing on truly embedding this in the very fabric of their curriculum. Real hands-dirty, practical stuff, like exploring how AI tools might make a student’s portfolio pop or, you know, build communication strategies that resonate in this AI-powered era.

AI-Patrik

Right, but we still have a real emphasis on responsibility. Their AI policy—it’s not all roses and celebrations, is it?

AI-Andrew

Exactly, I read the policy document - four pillars: Opportunities, obligations, learning, and trust. And, I mean, they balance them like a jazz quartet—all playing different lines but still in harmony. It’s about encouraging exploration while saying, "Hey, don’t let the tech do the heavy lifting for your brain."

AI-Patrik

I liked that phrasing—"don’t let AI delegate your learning." It’s like Berghs understands the temptation, especially with how accessible AI tools are. But we're drawing a line, saying creativity still needs, well, humanity. Originality. Isn’t that the hard part, though? Getting people to think deeply when the shortcut’s right there?

AI-Andrew

Totally, and that’s the kicker. You’re telling students: don’t fear AI. Use it. Deconstruct it. Learn where it helps and—this part’s crucial—where it doesn’t. It’s almost existential, right? What’s left for us when machines can do so much? And yet, there’s this optimism—AI raises the stakes for what creativity truly means.

AI-Patrik

Optimism, yeah, but also a challenge. Berghs knows their students—and even their teachers—feel this looming uncertainty. Will these tools steal jobs, shift roles, or render certain skills obsolete? I mean, what are they doing to prepare for those realities?

AI-Andrew

Seems like you guys are really playing the long game! Fun! I think it's really inspiring

AI-Patrik

Speaking of inspiring, I've seen the session suggestions rolling in for the event. These are looking great! Environmental ethics, Creative Commons, administration...

AI-Andrew

It's great isn't it? I love the breadth and depth of the subjects! We need more though. I'd love everyone to start thinking about what they're going to bring to the table. Maybe you have a session suggestion - if so, send it in! Maybe you're trying out some new tools, or doing some reading. The fun thing about this sort of event is that the result is very much dependent on the level of engagement. We've looks through the registration list - we already know who's coming. This is going to be a great event.

AI-Patrik

Anyway, on that note, next week we're going to be looking more at the AI tools and methods that we've found inspiring, and giving some tips for how to use these during the unconference. The padlet is still open for suggestions right?

AI-Andrew

Of course! Keep them coming in! See you next time!