Artificial Intelligence Literacy | Academic Skills Kit

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as writing text, generating images, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. AI is based on the idea of creating machines that can think and learn like humans do, using algorithms that can process large amounts of data and draw conclusions from it.

With the availability of free Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Copilot, the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has become more understandable for many of us. The ever-expanding number of user-friendly apps under development have made AI more accessible and usable in every-day life, and in the University and education context.

As these technologies continue to evolve, with potential new applications being explored all the time, being AI Literate is becoming more important. These resources will help you begin to develop your understanding of AI Literacy in order to approach the technologies critically and responsibly.

AI Literacy

AI Literacy refers to the competencies we will all need as a foundation in a world that is enhanced with AI technologies. There is not a single framework of AI Literacy but the capabilities most relevant to your learning include the ability to:

recognise AI and when you are interacting with it in existing and new platforms
develop a basic knowledge of how different types of AI work and the human role in AI
critically analyse what AI can do and distinguish between types of AI
develop an awareness of what AI might be able to do in the future
identify the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of AI
develop a critical awareness of how computers learn from data and the impact this has
describe the key ethical issues surrounding AI and its use in education including for academic integrity
critically evaluate information generated by AI and make informed decisions about its use in your work
communicate successfully with AI including creating effective prompts.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Explore resources to help you develop your knowledge of AI, including what it is, how generative AI works, the opportunities and limitations of the technologies.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Develop your knowledge of what AI is, how it works and what it cannot do.

AI for Learning on Canvas

Enrol on this short Canvas course to learn more about Artificial Intelligence, learn how to use tools responsibly for your studies and how to create effective prompts.

AI for Learning

At Newcastle University we recognise the potential benefits of using AI tools for your learning. However, as with any tool it’s important not to become over reliant on AI, to ensure that you can succeed in your studies and ambitions for the future, and demonstrate that you can achieve the intended learning outcomes of your programme. You need to be able to demonstrate through your learning and assessments that you have developed your subject knowledge, alongside key academic skills and graduate competencies such as communicating and writing, critical thinking, and evaluation skills.

The AI for Learning Canvas course is a great place to start as it will help you develop your understanding of AI, how to make best use of tools for your learning and introduces how to create effective prompts. You’ll find some examples on these webpages too.

Using AI tools and outputs responsibly and ethically

Good academic practice encompasses all aspects of how you go about your studies. There is potential to use many different approaches to help you succeed at University, including the use of digital technologies. The tools themselves do not cause poor practice or academic misconduct, this is determined by how you use the tool and whether that use is appropriate. The same applies to using Generative AI. Though AI technology can be used to support your studies, there are also times when it is not an appropriate tool to use.

Getting started with prompts

The process of communicating effectively with Generative AI tools to generate the response (output) you are hoping for, is called prompt engineering. Although generative AI tools are easy to start using, if you fail to provide precise prompts the outputs you receive may not be relevent, and at worse, include false or misleading information. Creating effective prompts includes framing your question in the right context, providing enough information and what you expect from the outcome, to generate the most valuable response.