In a recent opinion article published in one of our local newspapers, the union Akavia raised the need for clarity regarding students’ use of generative AI and the importance of higher education institutions encouraging a responsible approach. This is an important and topical discussion, and in my response, I describe the measures we have taken to address this challenge at Karlstad University.
Since January 2024, we have established guidelines for both students and teachers that clarify how generative AI tools may be used in education. The guidelines specify what is permitted and what is not, with a focus on supporting students’ learning, ensuring legally secure examinations and preparing students for a future where AI is a natural part of working life. The goal is to promote responsible use of AI while safeguarding academic integrity and fair conditions for all.
A recently published report from Anthropic (see link below) offers an interesting insight into how university students use AI, particularly generative AI models such as Claude. The report shows a wide variety in the way students use AI – from designing study questions to debugging code and creating content. This reflects a broad and creative use of AI, where students not only use the technology to get quick answers but also to deepen and broaden their own learning.
A particularly interesting aspect of the report is how students across different academic disciplines use AI in different ways. The report, based on anonymised conversations from over 574,000 users, shows that AI is used for different purposes depending on the subject area. Students in computer science and engineering use AI to develop and debug code, while those in the humanities and social sciences often use AI to analyse and generate text. This variation illustrates how AI becomes a tailored tool that supports different types of learning, from creating study questions and editing academic texts to solving complex mathematical problems.
I want to see a similar development at our university, where AI is used as a tool to promote deeper learning and exploration. Our students should use generative AI to enhance their academic skills in an ethical and responsible manner. At the same time, it is crucial that this use maintains academic integrity, which is also clearly expressed in our guidelines.
As part of our work with generative AI, it is important that we continue to provide support to both teachers and students. Well-functioning administrative support is crucial, and we are currently working on further developing this support. By enhancing our knowledge of how AI can be used effectively, we want to facilitate and improve our support processes. The guidelines we have established are intended to be a living document, in the sense that they should be continuously revised and updated to meet changing needs and technological advancements. Creating a safe and just learning environment requires active dialogue, clear guidelines and an exploratory approach where generative AI is used responsibly.
Link to report from Anthropic Education Report:
Use of Generative AI in education at Karlstad University
