The groundwork was laid over a year ago, and the foundation has been continuously reinforced through engagement with staff and students, the formulation of policies and guidelines, extensive planning and investigations and – most importantly – a shared commitment to embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in an ethical and responsible way at the North-West University (NWU). Although the wait is over, and there is still much hard work ahead, the University can say: Congratulations, the NWU AI Hub has officially been launched.
NWU’s picturesque Vanderbijlpark Campus recently hosted the official launch of the NWU AI Hub, attended by Prof Linda du Plessis, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, who expressed her admiration for the progress already made by the NWU and her excitement for what the future holds.
According to Prof Anné Verhoef, Director of the NWU AI Hub, the NWU has a very strong educational approach to the ethical and responsible use of AI, and many restrictive and remedial measures have been put in place as a barricade against its misuse.
“The integrity of degrees at the NWU is crucial. It is given the highest priority by the Registrar and the University’s management, especially now with the new challenges posed by AI. We are addressing this in a number of constructive ways. The AI Hub plays a crucial role at the NWU. AI affects everything and everyone, and the Hub provides a central place or platform to coordinate all AI matters. One of the great successes of the AI Hub so far is that it has helped to develop training courses and opportunities for students and staff. AI training has been identified globally as the biggest need for AI in higher education, and NWU has developed two AI courses so far. The first is for students and we call it AI for Academic and Career Success, and the second is for lecturers and focuses on assessments that incorporate AI,” Verhoef explains.
The first course was launched on 17 February and is specifically designed to meet the needs of students in the South African context.
“The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of AI and to guide them in the practical, ethical and responsible use of the most well-known AI applications. The course is a two-hour online course, it is free, and in the end the students will receive an NWU AI certificate.”
AI courses for staff will start in May.
This is just a drop in the ocean of what has already been done, and the NWU AI Hub has much more to offer.
Verhoef says: “The NWU is leading the way in AI with our dedicated AI website, the establishment of the AI Hub, the functioning of our inclusive AI Steering Committee, our unique AI courses for students and staff, and our educational approach to academic integrity in the age of AI.”
Not even ChatGPT can predict the next steps for this bold NWU initiative.
Prof Linda du Plessis, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, address attendees during the official launch of the NWU AI Hub.
Prof Anné Verhoef, Director of the NWU AI Hub.
