Don't do Evil: Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Universities

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the ways in which we experience everyday tasks, and its reach is extending into education. Promises of AI-driven personalised learning, learner agency, adaptive teaching and changes to teacher roles are increasingly becoming realistic but the ethical considerations surrounding these, and even simpler innovations are far from clear. Various ethical standards are proposed for AI, though these tend to be high-level and generic and do not serve to guide education practice. The multiple agencies concerned with AI analytics are also yet to provide a strong sense of direction. The Open University UK has established an AI working group to explore the contribution AI might make to improving student retention, success and satisfaction. With a specific emphasis on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIEd), this paper proposes eight principles constituting an open ethical framework for implementing AI in educational settings in ways that empower students and provide transparency.