In a statement from a university spokesperson sent to The Jute Journal, the University said it is “simply not the case” that AI is being viewed as a widespread solution to the challenges it is facing.

There are many proposals for changes within the University, including a further loss of 190 staff on top of the over 600 staff the University has made redundant or not replaced in the last 2 years. There are worries that the University could look to replace these jobs with AI.

The University statement addressed the concern that AI would be used to justify the cuts.

“Relating to proposed change across the University, it is simply not the case that AI is being viewed as a widespread solution to the challenges we are facing. More important are the changes we make to how we work and how we prioritise work… which is already happening.”

The statement confirms that “A responsible AI strategy is something that every university is looking to develop and we have started work on this, including establishing the scope of potential activity.”

The key principles that the University will seek to follow are as follows:

“Generative AI is recognised as a permanent tool in education and professional work; the goal is to teach students to use it critically and ethically.

“AI is an enhancer, not a replacement. Students are fully responsible for the work they submit, and staff retain ultimate academic judgment.

“AI use must be openly disclosed when required.”

The AI policy has been discussed at Education and Student Experience committee and at Senate, as well as worked on by a steering group with representation from DUSA, the statement says.

The University statement also mentioned AI usage within different sectors of the University.

“There is also developing work on use of AI in the research environment.”

The statement comes after a conversation The Jute Journal had with Interim Principal Professor Nigel Seaton and Kirsty Macari, Associate Vice-Principal for Education and Student Experience in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, at the DJCAD Degree Show.

The Jute Journal asked Prof Seaton how far the policy would extend and what scope would be put on the changes happening to AI policy. He cited the pace of change as a reason he didn’t have an answer.

“What AI can do today is more than you could do yesterday, and tomorrow [it will] be able to do things [it] can’t do today. So, I don’t know.

“AI is a coming technology… we’re not walking away from it, it’s part of the industrial revolution… AI done right is a performance enhancer, and it’s a gain of efficiency.

“There’s no sector of the economy, I can’t think of one, that will not be affected by AI.”

The statement mentions the Prof Seaton’s comments saying that:

“The Principal’s comments were made in the general sense of the changes that AI looks to be bringing to all of our lives. There are well recognised societal challenges regarding the potential benefits and pitfalls of AI, from which the University, like any large organisation, is unlikely to be exempt.

Maggie Chapman, the University of Dundee Rector, spoke to The Jute Journal during the DJCAD Degree Show. Ms Chapman spoke on AI being used as a reason to cut jobs.

“AI has phenomenal potential being used carefully in the right way… Using it as job replacement, as an opportunity to get rid of staff… AI cannot be our future, that cannot be the road we go down.

“We cannot cut [our] way to growth as an institution. We know that doesn’t work… from decades of experience elsewhere.”