Category: GenAI News

AI technology ‘replacing critical thinking in university lectures’ – student

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In a grand, Gothic-style university lecture hall, rows of students are seated, all intently focused on glowing laptops. At the front, a large, cold blue holographic display titled "AI LECTURE AUTOMATION SYSTEM" prominently states: "Critical Thinking: Replaced. Information: Delivered." A small whiteboard in the background sarcastically asks, "AI IS 'HERE,' WHERE'S THE PROF?!" Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.
According to a student’s observation, AI technology is alarmingly “replacing critical thinking in university lectures,” transforming the learning environment into one focused solely on information delivery. This dystopian image visualizes a future where traditional human instruction is minimized, and AI automates the lecture process, raising serious questions about the impact on students’ cognitive development and the very essence of higher education. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.

Source

Waikato Times

Summary

A University of Waikato student has voiced concern that widespread use of AI in lectures is eroding students’ ability to think critically. Speaking anonymously, the fourth-year student said many peers now use ChatGPT to generate lecture notes, discussion questions, and ideas—essentially outsourcing thinking itself. While she acknowledged that AI has benefits when used judiciously, she worries it encourages intellectual passivity and dependence. The student warned that such habits could eventually harm employability, as employers increasingly seek graduates with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Key Points

  • Students are using ChatGPT to generate lecture notes and workshop discussion prompts.
  • The student fears this practice undermines the purpose of higher education—to cultivate independent thinking.
  • She admits AI has value when used responsibly but sees overreliance as damaging to learning.
  • The trend risks producing graduates who lack the analytical abilities employers prize most.
  • The concern reflects wider tensions in universities over balancing AI’s benefits and harms.

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URL

https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360843243/ai-technology-replacing-critical-thinking-university-lectures-student

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5

GenAI News

Meet the AI Professor: Coming to a Higher Education Campus Near You

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In a vast, modern university lecture hall filled with students working on holographic tablets, a sleek, humanoid AI figure in a business suit stands at the front, glowing blue and labeled "PROFESSOR NEXUS." Behind it, a massive interactive screen displays "WELCOME TO THE FUTURE: AI-AUGMENTED LEARNING," surrounded by various data, graphs, and educational interfaces, symbolizing AI's presence in higher education. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.
The future of higher education is rapidly evolving, with the concept of an “AI Professor” soon becoming a reality on campuses worldwide. This image envisions an advanced lecture hall where an AI humanoid, serving as the instructor, delivers an engaging lesson on “AI-Augmented Learning,” highlighting the imminent shift towards a new era of technologically enhanced education. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.

Source

Forbes

Summary

Nick Ladany explores how the rise of “AI professors” could transform higher education, blending machine precision with human mentorship. AI professors, envisioned as advanced avatars, could deliver 24/7 personalised instruction, adapt to diverse learning styles, and stay up-to-date with current knowledge. Human professors, meanwhile, would focus on relational, interdisciplinary, and ethical aspects of learning. Ladany suggests a “centaur model,” where human and AI educators collaborate—AI managing scalable instruction while humans build community and critical thinking. He warns that universities slow to adapt risk obsolescence, while those embracing this hybrid model may redefine teaching and student success.

Key Points

  • AI professors could deliver continuous, personalised, evidence-based education.
  • Human professors would shift toward mentoring, community-building, and ethical guidance.
  • The “centaur model” integrates human and AI teaching strengths.
  • Teaching roles would require new training, evaluation, and year-round engagement.
  • Universities that resist this shift risk falling behind institutional innovators.

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URL

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasladany/2025/10/03/meet-the-ai-professor-coming-to-a-higher-education-campus-near-you/

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5

GenAI News

AI is smart, just don’t ask it to speak the Irish language

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In a warm, traditional Irish pub setting, four friends are seated around a wooden table, laughing and enjoying pints of Guinness, with a fireplace in the background. Above their table, a holographic AI interface glows, displaying "An Fáistinseoir AI" (The Oracle AI) at the top, but prominently featuring a red error message: "Error: Irish Language Not Supported." An older gentleman is visible in the background. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.
While AI demonstrates remarkable intelligence across many domains, its capabilities can be surprisingly limited when it comes to lesser-resourced languages. This image playfully highlights a common challenge: asking AI to engage with the Irish language often reveals its current shortcomings, underscoring the need for more inclusive linguistic development in AI. Image, cultural stereotypes, (and typos) generated by Nano Banana

Source

The Irish Times

Summary

The article highlights how advanced chatbots struggle badly with the Irish language (Gaeilge)—a stark reminder of persistent gaps in AI systems. While AI tools handle common European languages with ease, asking them to converse or translate into Irish produces jumbled pronunciation, random spelling, misinterpretation, or bizarre outputs. The author sees this as symptomatic: AI models often neglect smaller or less commercially profitable languages. For minority and indigenous languages, ensuring AI support is not optional but crucial for cultural preservation, representation, and equitable digital inclusion.

Key Points

  • Chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini performed very poorly when asked to speak in Irish: pronunciation errors, mis-translations, confusion with Scots Gaelic.
  • The mismatch highlights that AI models are biased toward well-resourced languages and neglect minority ones.
  • AI’s “knowledge” is constrained by available training data—less data means poorer performance.
  • For languages like Irish, this has real stakes: cultural expression, educational access, digital equity.
  • Improving AI support for Irish (and other underrepresented languages) requires intentional investment and training on local, high-quality data.

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URL

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/10/02/ai-is-smart-just-dont-ask-it-to-speak-the-irish-language/

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5

GenAI News

Harvard Business School Uses AI to Evaluate Students’ Work, Dean Says

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In a sophisticated university lecture hall, reminiscent of Harvard, a female speaker stands at a podium, gesturing towards a large interactive screen. The screen prominently displays "AI EVALUATION SYSTEM" along with various complex charts, graphs, and data points, indicating detailed assessment metrics. An audience of students in business attire are seated at tiered desks, working on laptops. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.
Harvard Business School is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into academic assessments, with its Dean confirming the use of AI to evaluate students’ work. This image illustrates a high-tech academic environment where advanced AI evaluation systems are being employed, signifying a significant shift in how student performance is analyzed and graded in prestigious institutions. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.

Source

The Harvard Crimson

Summary

Dean Srikant M. Datar revealed that Harvard Business School (HBS) is actively using AI tools to evaluate student assignments and provide rapid feedback, such as on spreadsheets. At Boston AI Week, he explained that HBS faculty are integrating AI into teaching and research, including through Foundry, a platform connecting entrepreneurs with HBS content. Administrators emphasised that AI supplements, not replaces, classroom learning—supporting tasks like condensing student feedback into actionable insights and offering 24/7 support. HBS leaders frame AI as part of an ongoing digital transformation, stressing the importance of adaptability and a “30 percent rule” for AI literacy.

Key Points

  • HBS uses AI to evaluate coursework and give students rapid feedback.
  • The Foundry platform leverages AI to connect entrepreneurs globally with HBS resources.
  • AI tools condense student feedback for faculty, improving teaching design.
  • Administrators stress AI complements, not replaces, the classroom experience.
  • HBS promotes the “30 percent rule”: basic literacy is enough to work with AI effectively.

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URL

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/10/2/hbs-dean-ai-use/

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5

GenAI News

Artificial intelligence guidelines for teachers and students ‘notably absent’, report finds

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In a dimly lit, traditional lecture hall, a frustrated speaker stands at a podium addressing an audience. Behind him, a large screen prominently displays "AI GUIDELINES IN EDUCATION" with repeating red text emphasizing "NOTABLY ABSENT: GUIDELINES PENDING" and crossed-out sections for "Teacher Guidelines" and "Student Guidelines." A whiteboard to the side has a hand-drawn sad face next to "AI Policy?". Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.
A recent report has highlighted a significant void in modern education: the “notable absence” of clear artificial intelligence guidelines for both teachers and students. This image captures the frustration and confusion surrounding this lack of direction, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive policies to navigate the integration of AI responsibly within academic settings. Image (and typos) generated by Nano Banana.

Source

Irish Examiner

Summary

A new report by ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) highlights a significant policy gap: Irish secondary schools largely lack up-to-date acceptable use policies (AUPs) that address AI. Among 51 large schools surveyed, only six had current policies, and none included detailed guidance on AI’s use in teaching or learning. The Department of Education says it’s finalising AI guidance to address risks, opportunities, and responsible use. The absence of clear, central policy leaves individual schools and teachers making ad hoc decisions.

Key Points

  • Only 6 of 51 schools had updated acceptable use policies that could construe AI governance.
  • AI-specific guidelines are “notably absent” in existing school policies.
  • Schools are left to decide individually how (or whether) to integrate AI in learning without shared framework.
  • The Department of Education expects to issue formal guidance imminently, supported by resources via the AI Hub and Oide TiE.
  • Policymaking lag is highlighted as a disconnect between fast technology change and slow institutional response.

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URL

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41715942.html

Summary generated by ChatGPT 5

GenAI News