Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support work, study, teaching and research. If you’re ready to use AI and are wondering where to begin, this simple pathway can help you explore AI and build your confidence at your own pace.
Step 1: Complete your Digital Skills self-assessment
Start by understanding where you are today. The Digital Skills self-assessment helps identify your strengths, areas for development and resources matched to your needs.
STEP 2: Join the Beginners AI Training
Led by Professor Lisa Harris and Jenny McGarvey, these sessions provide a friendly introduction to AI in higher education.
Understanding AI: Helping you to develop AI literacy, learn how to use AI responsibly, and ensure you meet the University of Exeter’s policies.
“Since Easter, Jenny and Lisa have run 6 ‘AI for Beginner’ workshops, for a total of 180 people so far. Approximately 54% of attendees were in professional services roles, 24% academic roles, 12% researcher roles, and the remainder in roles that could not be obviously categorised.
Our objective was to connect with people who’ve yet to significantly engage with GenAI and its implications for our working lives. We found that the in-person sessions were great for making connections and building relationships, but for convenience the vast majority chose to attend the online sessions.
A key piece of feedback was the need for clarity around expectations. Many people had quite specific questions about what was allowed/not allowed in terms of IP, data sharing or the functionality of current tools within the Microsoft Copilot environment. We are still working on gaining answers to some of these questions. Currently we are analysing the feedback for input to the University’s training plans for staff and students next year.”
— Professor Lisa Harris and Jenny McGarvey.
STEP 3: Complete the two non-mandatory AI courses on LearnUpon
These self-paced courses are ideal for colleagues who want to build confidence in their own time.
- AI Fundamentals: Ai introduction to AI and how it’s used across the University.
2. Responsible AI Use at Exeter: Focusing on how you can ensure safe, ethical and effective use in your role.
STEP 4: Visit the EduExe Toolkit
Delve deeper into the educational implications of AI through the EduExe Education Toolkit for academics.
STEP 5: Reassess and discover what’s next
Revisit your Digital Skills self-assessment and search the Learning Library for your next learning opportunity.
You don’t need to become an AI expert overnight, but when used responsibly, AI can support you with your work, study, research and teaching.