The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is taking a cautious approach towards the integration of generative AI applications as it strategizes how to incorporate this technology into its student services.
The university, located in Sydney, is engaging in discussions to explore the potential of generative AI. However, it is prioritizing a measured approach and avoiding rushing into implementation.
Associate Professor Rob Nicholls, specializing in regulation and governance at the UNSW Business School, highlighted one of the envisioned applications of generative AI. He mentioned the prospect of integrating this technology into chatbots that assist prospective students in discovering suitable courses.
Speaking with iTnews during a recent Tech Leaders event, Nicholls clarified that the university is still in the early stages and is not yet close to having a “minimum viable product” ready for testing. Nonetheless, UNSW is committed to further exploring the possibilities that generative AI offers.
Addressing Complexity in Course Selection
As the Australian government seeks insights into generative AI’s role in education, Nicholls emphasized the potential of a finely tuned generative AI capability. This capability, trained on course handbooks, could potentially simplify the process for future students who are navigating their course choices. By matching students with the courses they are interested in, generative AI could streamline this aspect of their academic journey.
Nicholls characterized the ongoing progress towards this capability as “in-house drafts,” pointing out that there isn’t yet a unanimous internal consensus on the choice of a large language model as the foundation or how to ensure compliance with privacy expectations. He suggested that this likely means the technology will not be deployed as a general online service. If an online service is considered, it would likely be an isolated instance.
Risk-Averse Approach and Adoption of Technology
Nicholls emphasized that the process of “finetuning the large language model” is vital to ensure the accuracy and relevance of courses. Keeping the content up-to-date is an essential aspect of delivering meaningful results.
UNSW’s approach to implementing practical applications of generative AI appears to be driven by caution, as the university aims to avoid mistakes during the design and implementation phases. Nicholls noted that universities, in general, tend to adopt new technologies at a slower pace due to their inclination towards risk aversion.
