AI and Work Integrated Learning

Greetings from the University of Canberra, where I am attending the NSW/ACT chapter of WIL Australia's "Creative, Modern and Celebrating WIL". Associate Professor Bonnie Dean, University of Wollongong, is taking us through the reality behind the hype about AI and jobs. She cited research showing that organisations are tending to look to existing staff for AI skills, rather than asking for it in job ads. Bonnie pointed out that Microsoft Copilot's terms of service say it is intended for entertainment and use at the user's own risk (which I suggest is likely illegal under Australian consumer law). Professor Dean noted how the last trend was cyber security qualifications and universities are no announcing AI initiatives.

Bonnie pointed out surveys which show most students see AI as useful, but worry about being accused of cheating, but don't get support from the university in how to use it. As AI is new and novel I can see the need for specific training, both for staff and students, about it. After a few years this will just be integrated into basic training for students. Particularly for WIL is important for students to get this extra training now. As an example, students need to have it explicitly explained that public tools retain the information they enter, so they should not include anything sensitive, private.