Abstract

Over the past year we have witnessed the wide diffusion of Large Language Models (LLMs) and their progressive integration in our daily tasks. In the context of Higher Education and, more specifically, academic writing, this poses some challenges while offering new opportunities. This talk analyses the complexities of teaching and assessing Contextual and Theoretical studies in the light of the emergence of LLMs. It also addresses the importance of engaging with the students in this journey to better comprehend the actual impact this emerging technology has on teaching and learning, beyond the hype and excitement. The session advocates for the adoption of UAL’s Guiding Principles (Social, Racial, and Climate Justice) as a moral compass to navigate and regulate the use of LLMs for staff and students.

Session and activities

This session aims to analyse the challenges posed by LLMs in the context of academic writing, for both learners and tutors. While the incredible generative potential of LLMs is easy to grasp and put to the test, the ethical considerations surrounding the hidden costs associated with the large-scale use of AI are less visible. Drawing on a year of close observations conducted between February 2023 and February 2024 (working in close collaboration with Academic Support), the talk investigates the impact of LLMs in teaching and assessing Contextual and Theoretical Studies (BA and MA of Games Design at LCC). The talk attempts to define a scenario where students are thoroughly informed about the ethical implications connected to the use of LLMs thanks to the newly introduced guiding principles (Social, Racial, and Climate justice), and assessment criteria are revamped to take into account this new reality. Takeaway: The session explores the ethical implications of using and integrating LLMs in academic writing and, more broadly, in higher education by examining the inherent biases and environmental impact of AI systems. Building upon research and data collected in the field, the session highlights the pros and cons of this emerging technology within our specific context, taking a balanced approach. By the end, the audience will understand how LLMs operate, how a particular group of students perceives them, and how we can rethink academic writing in this evolving landscape.