Setting Sails – Navigating AI in Higher Education UZH Teaching Tools

Imagine not being able to check your train schedule, handle bills, or even shop for groceries without assistance. Nearly 20 percent of the global population lives with disabilities that can restrict their independence. Can AI open doors and restore a sense of autonomy for people with disabilities? Daniele Corciulo and Benjamin Börner our conversation to explore how 'e-accessibility'—technological advancements tailored for accessibility—have revolutionized educational experiences for students, professors, and researchers with disabilities. at UZH. Daniele Corciulo, who works at the UZH Disability Office, tests the universities applications for accessibility and offers training and support for e-accessibility. He is affected by a severe visual impairment. Benjamin Börner is the head of the UZH Disability Office where he counsels and supports UZH members with disabilities. Together, we're diving into how these tools are being utilized and shedding light on the hurdles that still hinder accessibility.

Ever seen those YouTube ads promising "AI tools to boost your smarts" or "Ace your studies with AI"? Their pitches are very compelling, promising ChatGPT to function as a personal tutor by asking questions and fixing your answers. Students might jump at this opportunity to make their lives easier—after all, it's tempting to let AI handle the legwork and use your newfound time in more productive ways. But how are students at UZH actually using AI tools? Laura Galli and Maurus Wollensak join us to provide their perspective on AI in education and the impact it might have on their future careers. Laura Galli studies Art History and Theology and is the co-president of the student Association VSUZH where she is responsible for education policy. Maurus Wollensak studies International Law and is currently an incoming exchange student at UZH and ETH.

What if a vast language model crafts significant portions of a doctoral dissertation? We delve into this question and more with Noah Bubenhofer, Professor of German Linguistics at UZH, where he teaches digital language and culture. In his free time, he also blogs about the future of writing. Current AI applications like ChatGPT not only refine translations and rectify errors, but also generate ideas. Can this still be considered as original work of a student? In addition, they revolutionize our approach to writing, offering a tempting solution to the perennial struggle that writing entails for many of us. Is it still necessary for students to learn traditional writing skills when writing tasks can so easily be delegated? Our discussion of these questions leads us to broader themes involving educational traditions, pedagogical methodologies, and even fundamental aspects of human nature.

In this episode Anne Scherer, former Assistant Professor of Quantitative Marketing at UZH and co-founder of DeltaLabs, joins us to explore the alluring promises of GenAI as well as the ethical concerns arising from the competitive pursuit of wealth, influence, and recognition by tech giants. As the author of «You & AI: A Guide to Understanding How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping Our Lives», she provides us with insight into how GenAI offers efficiency in writing, aids in brainstorming, and even provides companionship. Yet, on the flip side, it also opens the doors for unethical practices, compromising safety and privacy. Delving into these dilemmas together, we confront crucial questions: How should society address these concerns? And what stance should universities take regarding the acceptable use of AI tools?

Welcome to the "Setting Sails" podcast, hosted by Dr. Alexandra Jansky.