The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abednego Okoe Amartey, has held a forum for lecturers on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies on teaching, learning, and research.
The forum, held at the LBC auditorium on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, aimed to shed light on and address contemporary challenges arising from the proliferation of AI technologies.
The Director of the Documentation and Information Management Centre at UPSA, Dr. Edwin Ayernor described AI technologies as a double-edged sword.
He contended that AI tools, initially designed to simplify tasks and enhance efficiency, have inadvertently, led to complacency and decreased creativity among individuals.
“Students are developing an addiction to AI and because of that, anytime you ask them something they have to use AI,” he said.
Dr. Ayernor cautioned against complete dependence on AI tools for research, as there is often no mechanism in place to verify the accuracy of information provided by AI tools.
Pro-vice chancellor of UPSA, Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, also raised pertinent concerns regarding the utilization of AI technologies.
He pointed out that despite the opportunities presented by AI tools, the negative impact often outweighs the benefits.
Prof. Mawutor stressed that AI technologies not only pose a threat to employment but also affect students’ intellectual growth.
“AI has disrupted strategies used to assess students. As a lecturer of research, one of the exercises I always conduct is to ask my students to do reviews of several articles. Today, I cannot do the same because you cannot be sure if the students did it themselves. AI tool is a threat to our continuous existence as lecturers,” he stated.
To address these challenges, Mrs. Edna Obiri, a lecturer at the UPSA Law School, called upon faculty members to develop strategies that reduce students’ dependence on AI tools.
She suggested incorporating more hands-on activities and real-world projects into the curriculum to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
