Generative AI burst onto the educational scene in late 2022, sparking widespread concern among educators and prompting predictions in some quarters about the demise of formal education. Since then, higher education institutions (HEIs) have primarily focused on the threat to academic integrity, while industry has explored a much broader spectrum of advanced applications. It is critical, however, that HEIs start to consider the implications of working alongside intelligent machines for their educational offerings. In this short talk, Mairéad will put AI developments into context for education, introduce the concept of ‘the new hybrid’ and ‘generativism’ as a design approach. By the end, you will have the high-level information you need to start thinking about your plans to create an AI-enabled curriculum

New technology trends and practices often present both challenges and opportunities for higher education. Recent developments around AI and chatbots, big data analytics, and digital credentialing, to name just a few, all suggest new ways in which teaching, learning and assessment can or should be organised. The recent global experience of emergency remote teaching and the massification of online learning across the world continue also to provoke discussion and concern with respect to the changing needs and expectations of our students and the increased globalisation and marketisation of higher education itself. How are higher education institutes navigating these challenges and opportunities and how can we distinguish the hyperbole from the reality? Tune in on March 2nd to join us in conversation with Professor Frank Rennie and Dr Leigh Graves Wolf as they offer their thoughts and experiences on a number of these important and interrelated trends.

Rich digital connections support interaction and collaboration between people and organisations and offer us new ways to work, live and learn. In the context of new Irish and European education and regional development policy, as well as recent local and global experiences of remote working and remote teaching, this seminar event invites us to consider the many ways in which the worlds of work and education are changing and converging as we move toward an ever-more digitally-enhanced future. Join us on May 25th to hear Grainne O’Keeffe (Ludgate Digital Hub), Professor Frank Rennie (UHI, Scotland) and Professor Keith Smyth (UHI, Scotland) offer their perspectives.

The emergency that gave rise to emergency remote teaching may now finally be receding. What will the enduring legacy of this period be for our sector and what has the pandemic in general taught us about our ideas and intentions with respect to teaching and learning and the role of all things digital? What are the specific opportunities and challenges now facing MTU in this context ? Tune in or come along on March 2nd to hear Dr. Donna Lanclos and Prof. Lawrie Phipps share their thoughts and insights from their own work in the UK and US on digital transformation (DX) and digital practice in higher education.