Understanding the Fears of Generative AI in Higher Education

Title: Understanding the Fears of Generative AI in Higher Education

Speaker: Professor Duncan Brumby, UCL
Contact: [email protected]
For Bookings: https://speakers.acm.org/lectures/16845

In this seven-minute video, I explore the major fears surrounding the use of generative AI in higher education today.

Generative AI is simply a tool, but like every transformative tool in history, it disrupts traditional hierarchies of skill and ability. This disruption can create anxiety, particularly in universities, where concerns about cheating, diminished learning, and the erosion of academic standards often dominate discussions.

However, universities also have a responsibility to look forward. Generative AI is a transformational technology, and the next generation will need to understand its strengths, limitations, and ethical implications to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. Those who master this tool will secure the best opportunities in the future workforce.

To move forward, we must confront our fears head-on: name them, understand them, and address them thoughtfully. This video unpacks these fears and challenges us to think critically about how we can teach students to use generative AI responsibly—without reverting to outdated practices that stifle innovation.

This video is part of a larger talk I gave on generative AI. Watch the full talk here to explore potential solutions to these challenges:

   • Generative AI: Lessons from Dickens for th...