Artificial Intelligence or Augmented Ignorance? Learning in a digital age

The claims for the educational value of generative AI are increasingly being contested in the light of evidence and experience. In this presentation, I will explore the key aspects of human learning with a focus on the particular context of higher education, describe how technologies have been positioned historically within education, before examining arguments for and against the use of generative AI systems in various teaching and learning roles. Ethical and environmental considerations will be addressed in combination with consideration of work on cognitive impact, development of expertise, and the critical requirements of a framework for the evaluation of educational technologies. Institutional and national policies and guidelines will be reviewed and strategies for shaping a more learning-centred future will be explored.