AI use in academia

In this instalment of the Apprenticeships column, Antony Freeman, Principal Lecturer in Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship from the University of Cumbria explores the growing role of AI in paramedic practice.

As a learner on a paramedic degree programme, you are undertaking study at a time when education is changing at a rapid pace. One of the biggest changes to happen revolves around the expansion of, and ease of access to, artificial intelligence (AI) – most notably, generative AI tools, which can search the internet, summarise research and build text at the click of a button.

While at first glance, this technology can appear useful, you must understand its place in your learning, assessments and future employment. When it comes to learning, AI tools can generate answers quickly, which can be appealing at a time when you are also managing the demands of work and life. However, if relied upon inappropriately, these ‘shortcuts’ will promote surface-level learning, which may only make progression harder. For learning to be meaningful, it needs to be scaffolded, starting with the most basic concepts and moving up to more complex constructs. Furthermore, for the new learning to make sense and be retained, it needs to be constructively aligned with practice and programme outcomes.