Wed. Oct 9th, 2024

Navigating the AI Frontier: Policies for GenAI in Sri Lankan Higher Education

As the digital age progresses, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various sectors becomes increasingly critical. Following the foundational discussions in the webinar “Shaping the Future: Policies for Generative AI in Sri Lankan Higher Education,” the spotlight now shifts to the intricacies of policy development essential for this transformation. Building on the initial exploration of AI’s potential in academia, the second half of the webinar delved deep into the policies required to harness Generative AI (GenAI) responsibly and effectively.

The participants of the discussion were, Senior Professor at the Faculty of IT of the University of Moratuwa, Prof. Asoka Karunananda; Head of the Department of Computer Engineering at the University of Peradeniya and CEO of LEARN Sri Lanka, Prof. Roshan Ragel; Senior Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, Vishaka Nanayakkara; Pro Vice-Chancellor (Computing), Faculty of Computing at SLIIT, Prof. Nuwan Kodagoda; Senior Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, Dr. Thushari Silva; Senior Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya and CTO of LEARN, Dr. Asitha Bandaranayake; Senior Lecturer, Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Menaka Ranasinghe; and Postdoctoral Researcher at TU Dresden in Germany, Dr. Pubudu Jayasena. 

This segment of the discussion brought together thought leaders to address the policy vacuum in GenAI, emphasising the need for tailored guidelines that cater to the unique needs of educational institutions. As the speakers elaborated on frameworks and best practices, it became evident that the future of higher education in Sri Lanka hinges on well-structured policies that balance innovation with ethical considerations. Join us as we unpack the insights shared by the panellists, exploring the roadmap for integrating GenAI into the academic landscape while ensuring it serves as a tool for progress, equity, and continuous learning.

General Objectives of Policies for GenAI in Education

The policy vacuum for GenAI is shaping educational objectives, necessitating tailored adaptations for its use in teaching and assessments across universities and disciplines. As such, Ms. Nanayakkara stated that empowering staff with creative use of GenAI tools is essential and should stem from the autonomy granted to faculties. She further envisions that professional bodies will significantly influence university policies, ensuring they align with guiding principles that foster collaboration, promote continuous learning, and ensure equity and inclusion. “As we navigate these changes, it is crucial to remember who we are and our principles when it comes to education,” she expressed. 

Guidelines for the Use of GenAI for Students

Dr. Silva reiterated that GenAI is not a replacement for educators but a tool to advance education, encouraging students to approach problems from different perspectives. “Our responsibility is to use GenAI responsibly and validate its responses. Transparency is key, and students must credit the tools they use,” she shared. Subsequently, Dr. Ranasinghe emphasised the importance of responsible use, ethical considerations, and best practices with GenAI. “Students should leverage GenAI to gather information but must draw their conclusions and acknowledge the AI’s contributions. Additionally, students must be cautious about the information they share with GenAI tools to protect their privacy.” Conscious use of GenAI involves balancing support from the learning environment and the AI tool, with students taking full responsibility for the information they use. 

How can GenAI policies help Universities and Academics?

“GenAI holds transformative potential for academics in educational institutions, streamlining administrative operations, enabling predictive analysis, enhancing student support services, improving marketing and outreach efforts, and optimising resource allocation and planning,” Prof. Kodagoda emphasises. However, he added that adopting GenAI requires policy guidelines that address privacy, ethics, usage, continuous learning, professional development, and user education and support. According to him, this shift mirrors the academic transition to online learning during the pandemic, highlighting the need for ongoing training and development to keep pace with evolving technologies.

“What we learn with GenAI tools today will become obsolete in the future, underscoring the need for continuous training and development. This commitment to ongoing education ensures that educators, administrators, and students remain at the forefront of technological advancements,” he shared. Afterwards, Prof. Karunananda pointed out that AI has surpassed human capabilities in accuracy and efficiency, and humanity’s biological limitations mean that we cannot afford to reject AI integration. GenAI’s role in education is particularly crucial, even more so than in sectors like transportation. Integrating GenAI into education can significantly enhance student cognitive capabilities and retention. Therefore, he stated that curricula must be designed to foster innovative research in GenAI, ensuring that students are not only users but also researchers of AI.

Research policies for the use of GenAI

Most universities have begun adopting guidelines and policies for the use of GenAI in research. “These policies address the needs and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including research agents, publications, and funding agencies, and provide recommendations and ethical considerations for their implementation. However, researchers remain responsible for the scientific output and integrity of their work and must maintain transparency in their use of GenAI, particularly regarding privacy and confidentiality of inputs. Additionally, they must respect national policies,” emphasised Dr. Jayasena. In addition to this, research organisations are encouraged to support the use of GenAI, actively monitor its development and application, and adhere to guidelines for good research practices and ethics. Funding organisations also play a crucial role by guiding the use of GenAI in research. “By implementing these comprehensive policies, the academic community can ensure the responsible and ethical integration of GenAI, fostering innovation while maintaining scientific integrity and trust,” she highlighted.

Ensuring creativity and empathy with GenAI 

Prof. Ragel pointed out that the notion that AI leads to a loss of creativity and empathy is a misconception. “AI tools can enable creativity and empathy by acting as enablers rather than replacements. The responsibility for these attributes lies with humans, as AI tools operate based on the prompts they are trained with.”  Therefore, he stated that creative and empathetic ideas originate from humans, with AI merely executing them. Dr. Bandaranayake shared that the University of Peradeniya intends to adopt flexible guidelines over rigid policies about the use of AI. Accordingly, an AI Forum has been established at the University of Peradeniya to facilitate open discussions, reflecting a flexible approach that accommodates the rapid evolution of AI technologies. 

These guidelines aim to provide a fundamental yet adaptable framework for integrating AI into the academic environment. “The flexibility of guidelines over formal policies ensures they can be updated as AI technologies advance. The goal is to equip all stakeholders—students, educators, and administrators—with a solid foundation in AI usage. While the fundamental principles remain consistent, specific applications may vary across disciplines,” he conveyed. The broad document developed by the university serves to educate all users on AI, promoting equity and inclusion. It offers a comprehensive understanding of AI’s potential and the ethical considerations required for its integration. These guidelines ensure that AI is used responsibly, fostering an environment where creativity and empathy are enhanced rather than diminished.

Exploring Responsible AI Integration in Higher Education

The webinar “Shaping the Future: Policies for Generative AI in Sri Lankan Higher Education” offered a profound exploration into the policies necessary for integrating GenAI into academia. The second half of the discussion underscored the critical need for comprehensive and adaptive policy frameworks that empower educational institutions to harness AI’s transformative potential responsibly. From empowering faculty with the autonomy to creatively utilise GenAI tools to emphasising transparency and ethical use among students, the panellists presented a multifaceted approach to policy development. They highlighted the importance of continuous training and development to keep pace with evolving technologies, ensuring educators, administrators, and students are well-equipped to navigate the AI landscape.

The discussions also revealed that flexible guidelines, rather than rigid policies, are essential to accommodate the rapid advancements in AI technology. By fostering an environment of open dialogue and continuous learning, universities can ensure that AI is used not only to enhance administrative and educational processes but also to cultivate creativity and empathy among students. As Sri Lankan higher education embarks on this journey of integrating GenAI, the insights shared in this webinar serve as a crucial roadmap. With a balanced approach that prioritises ethical considerations and continuous innovation, the academic community can unlock the full potential of AI, driving progress while maintaining the integrity and trust that underpin the educational mission.

By Arteculate

Arteculate is your guide to the Asian tech industry. We give you unparalleled insights, accurate, local tech news, thoughtful features and sometimes scathing opinions on where things are headed. Stay tuned for the best of Asia!

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