University of the Bahamas tackles AI challenges in education

At the University of The Bahamas, a wave of concern has swept through the faculty as artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT become more prevalent in academic settings.

Professors have raised alarms over students’ increasing use of such technologies to complete essays and other assignments, potentially undermining the educational process.

Daniel Thompson chairman of UB’s School of Business and president of the Union of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas, spoke to the Tribune about the encounters professors have had with AI-assisted student work. In response, the university is actively seeking ways to curtail the use of AI in academic endeavors.

To counteract these challenges, Thompson and his colleagues are redesigning assignments to demand deeper analytical thinking and context from students.

As an assistant professor of economics, Mr. Thompson has firsthand experience with students attempting to use AI for numeracy-based assignments. His solution has been to craft questions that require a level of understanding beyond AI’s current capabilities, thus keeping the integrity of the educational experience at the University of The Bahamas.

Thompson said the university’s adoption of Moodle, an educational platform, has also introduced measures like webcam monitoring during quizzes and browser restrictions to maintain a fair testing environment.

Thompson highlights the importance of in-person examinations as a strategy to combat AI misuse. By closely supervising students during tests, professors can ensure the authenticity of their work.

Tools like Turnitin are also instrumental in detecting any form of plagiarism.