Positioning itself as an ‘AI positive’ institution, Birmingham City University initially focused on establishing its staff and student AI guidelines, reaffirming academic integrity as a central principle in a rapidly changing educational landscape. Now, given the increasingly acknowledged need for AI training for both staff (Fatima, 2025) and students (Digital Education Council, 2024), our efforts centre on building AI literacy, helping to bring many from a place of ambiguity or anxiety to one of more positive exploration of AI applications. A valid concern surrounds AI bypassing learning; we therefore aim to emphasize positive applications of AI as ‘thinking partner’ (such as via Socratic Dialogue, see e.g. Favero et al., 2024). As well as on prompt writing skills, student workshops focus on raising awareness of the main opportunities and drawbacks of AI, and demonstrate legitimate ways students can use AI in the process of academic work. Recent staff workshops demonstrate possible applications of AI in learning and teaching (e.g. using Copilot, ChatGPT, Pi, and Call Annie); support staff in more confidently talking to their students about AI; and guide staff in assessment redesign. Thus far, small-scale, anonymous questionnaire feedback indicates the staff workshops are well received, and that more are desired, with 37 (of n=47) responses citing an ‘increase in knowledge’ by at least one ranking (Poor-Fair-Good-Excellent) following the workshops. This presentation wraps up with a look at BCU’s next steps, particularly in further developing BCU’s AI strategic framework, and expanding AI literacy support for staff and students across the institution.

Authors:
Alice May, Birmingham City University, United Kingdom
Shivani Wilson-Rochford, Birmingham City University, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Alice May is a Learner Developer at Birmingham City University, supporting students in academic literacy, and more recently co-authoring the AI guidelines, presenting at conferences, and delivering AI support workshops for students and staff.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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