Prof. Kamweru, the Dean Faculty of Science and Technology, participated in a training workshop in Moi University, hosted at Sirikwa Hotel, Eldoret between 18th and 21st June 2024. The workshop was the first of a two-tier workshop funded by DAAD focusing on integration and use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools for teaching and research in higher education. The second tier of the workshop will take place in Chuka between 21st and 23rd of August 2024.
Participants were made aware of, and practiced the use of diverse available GenAI tools with diverse potentials for integration and use in academia and research. For instance, there are tools for Literature review, data analysis tools, manuscript preparation, image generation, study and revision aids, plagiarism detection, presentation and design, personalized learning and tutoring, and automated student evaluation among others.
Such tools include ChatGpt, Gemini, Research rabbit, Quizlet, Anki, Turnitin, Canva, Prezi, Coursera, and Duolingo among others.
The workshop highlighted that GenAI tools ought to however be used ethically and responsibly. This is due to the impacts and risks associated with their use.
These risks include plagiarism and loss of academic integrity, low quality and accurate information, bias and lack of fairness, and infringement of privacy, intellectual properties and copyrights, misuse and overdependence on AI, infringement of Privacy and Data Security and many other ethical concerns.
Therefore, the use of these tools is inevitable, but their use ought to be guided by certain principles, built upon ethical and responsible use, avoiding the pitfalls. These principles include, purposeful use, compliance to set guidelines and policy, promotion of literacy, balanced use, integrity, and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the use. Other principles include informed consent and third-party disclosures, and respect of privacy and ensuring data security among others.
The workshop concluded that there is a need for regulators and academic/research institutions to come up with guiding policy on the use of GenAI tools in academia and research.
