Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in the transformation and advancement of technology, and in this rapidly evolving digital world it is critical to know how to use it ethically.

The Alumni Relations Office of the North-West University (NWU) chose to impart relevant career advice regarding AI to the full-time NWU postgraduate students on Tuesday, 9 April.

Themed “4IR and AI: Preparing for the world of work in the ever-changing digital world”, the event aimed to guide the students to use AI responsibly and discussed the implications of using AI in an unprofessional manner. Sixty-three postgraduate students across varied study fields attended the event physically, while 87 others joined virtually.

The section head of the Alumni Office, Nicolize van der Walt, welcomed the guests, and informed the students about the purpose of these kinds of endeavours at the NWU. As she glanced at Prof Leenta Grobler, she said: “We want to equip our students for the world of work, using our very own experts. To the students: get some food for you future and run with the times. As you walk out of the gates of the NWU, remember to make the university your lifelong partner.”

Nombulelo Malunga, campus liaison officer at the NWU Career Service, urged the students to take advantage of these occasions and learn as much as possible. She furthermore said the students should consult the career service centre for additional support, including assistance with CV writing and interview preparations.

Yolande Stewart, Academic Integrity Officer, said the NWU encourages the use of AI because it wishes to produce graduates who are employable members of society. “It is critical to educate yourselves on how to use AI, and it is important that we focus on using it in a responsible and ethical way. In the sense that you may eventually not be able to do anything without AI, you still need to maintain your critical thinking. Using AI irresponsibly can lead to plagiarising content and spreading misinformation.

“I am incredibly proud to be an alumnus of the NWU,” says Prof Leenta Grobler, deputy director and MBA programme manager at the NWU Business School, as she prepared to deliver her address. She continued by discussing various AI tools available on the market and offered helpful advice and key skills to effectively respond to the digital workplace. The key skills included analytical judgement, flexibility, and emotional intelligence.

“Explore online platforms, join communities, work on personal projects, seek mentorship and engage in peer learning. Contribute as much as you consume, because teaching someone else how to do something enables one to become more proficient. Ensure that you do not become over-reliant on AI,” Prof Grobler concluded.

Together, producing students who can contribute to a technical future in an ethical manner.

 Nomvula Chasakara, chairperson of the Potchefstroom Students Campus Council, enthusiastically participated, posing insightful queries.