Students report little AI teaching on Russell Group courses

More than three-quarters (77%) of students at Russell Group universities have reported receiving little AI teaching, compared with 64% at modern universities founded after 1997.

The findings have raised questions about how well universities are preparing graduates for workplaces increasingly shaped by AI.

Our universities are responding proactively to fast-moving technologies

Joanna Burton, Associate Director for Higher Education Policy at Russell Group

The Russell Group has published its ‘Principles on the Use of Generative AI Tools in Education’. These set out how universities should approach AI, including educating students and staff about its benefits and limitations while maintaining academic integrity.

Joanna Burton, associate director for higher education policy at the Russell Group, told Times Higher Education: “Our universities are responding proactively to fast-moving technologies and the impact they are having on study and the world of work… we remain confident that our courses set graduates up for success.”

The University of Warwick offers academic enrichment classes that, depending on the subject, may include a week dedicated to the appropriate use of AI.

Opportunities to learn about AI may vary between courses, although the extent of these differences across universities is unclear.

Universities have faced increasing pressure to set clear expectations for the ethical and effective use of AI as adoption has grown across higher education.

However, widespread adoption does not necessarily mean students are receiving adequate training.

The growing use of AI in education has also raised questions about accessibility. Some features are available only behind paywalls, meaning that some students can access these systems while others cannot.

If we want trustworthy AI, we need to treat evaluation as seriously as we take training

Nigel Collier, professor of natural language processing and co-founder of Trismik

Universities across the UK have moved away from blanket bans on AI. They have instead begun integrating it into the curriculum.

The University of Cambridge has also raised £2.2 million in AI-related research.

Nigel Collier, professor of natural language processing and co-founder of Trismik, has emphasised the importance of evaluating AI rather than simply using it to generate answers.

He said in an article published by the Russell Group: “AI is no longer just generating answers it’s shaping decisions, products and lives. If we want trustworthy AI, we need to treat evaluation as seriously as we take training.”