DTU is opening up for teachers to allow digital tools and artificial intelligence, AI, such as ChatGPT, in teaching and, in the longer term, in exams. AI is currently used in several courses and in research at DTU, and by 2024, the new technologies can be expanded and used more systematically. The decision is part of DTU's mission to develop and utilize natural and technical science for the benefit of society and to provide the best engineering education in Europe.
The more systematic use of AI challenges teachers, who have to reorganize questions in assignments and exams, but also students, who now have to assess whether AI is a relevant tool and provide information about citations and use of the technology in exams.
"DTU's task is to prepare students and ourselves to make use of new technology. We live in a digitalized world where AI is becoming increasingly widespread and accessible. Artificial intelligence makes the impossible possible in many areas, so of course it should be part of the future engineers' toolbox. This is also the attitude I see in the teachers at DTU. They find solutions and utilize technology wherever it can help strengthen students' learning and competencies," says Lars D. Christoffersen, Dean of DTU.
Students welcome AI
DTU has prepared a guide for teachers and students on the use of AI. DTU's student organization Polyteknisk Forening has been involved in the work on the guide, and the association's chairperson Natasha Hougaard is excited about the announcement on AI.
"We think it's great progress that DTU will allow AI. It shows that the university is embracing the new technology instead of being afraid of it. As students, we are prepared for the fact that AI will accelerate development where we will be met with higher academic demands because we will have access to more assistive technology. But we agree with DTU's guide and trust that the teachers know which courses and exams it makes sense to allow AI, in the same way as they consider other assistive technology," says Natasha Hougaard.
Guide for AI
DTU's guide for AI are based on a fundamental trust in the students and that they take full responsibility for the work they hand in or submit for an exam. DTU students sign DTU's honor code, which states that students must always be able to vouch for their own work and that they must never copy the work of others without acknowledging the source. Assignments may contain work done by others or produced with AI, but students must mark it clearly and the quotes they use must be correct.
Teaching needs to be personalized
The decision to integrate AI as an engineering tool will lead to significant changes in the organization of teaching at DTU. Teachers will need to review whether they need to adjust their teaching and criteria for assessing students' assignments.
In the longer term, exam questions must be set in a way that takes into account that AI can solve the factual information and utilize all available knowledge on chatbots and search engines on the internet. The wording of questions in individual tasks must therefore be formulated in such a way that problems cannot be answered using AI alone.
The development will also create new opportunities for teachers to make teaching more individual by using digitalization and AI in their pedagogical approach.
The adaptation of exam forms and questions is expected to require a transition period of six months to a year and will therefore not be an option to open up to AI across the entire academic breadth for exams until the end of 2024.
