'I used AI and it's not as scary as I thought'

Hull College says it is changing the way its students learn with the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The centre said it had embraced the technology in a variety of ways, from helping teachers design lesson plans for students with different learning challenges to translating lessons into multiple languages in real time.

It is hosting a conference later at its Queens Gardens campus to discuss how AI is "shaping the future of teaching, learning and career preparation".

Mature student Sharron Knight is retraining to become a police call handler and said it was "not as scary" as she thought it might be.

She attended a seminar on the basics of AI and said: "It's opened a whole new wardrobe of things you can do and can't do.

"And it's not as scary, definitely not as scary, as I anticipated it to be in the beginning."

The tool has helped fellow student Albara Tahir, whose first language is Sudanese, improve his English.

He said: "It's good to speak to people. When I worked with my friends a year and a half ago there was no talking because I wasn't understanding very well.

"But now it's good."

Other colleges and universities around the country have taken to AI, with the education system embracing the technology.

Its rapid development has posed challenges for institutions as they seek to help students become AI literate, while discouraging the use of the technology to cheat.

Universities have been trying to understand what AI applications are capable of and introduce guidance on how they can be used.

Used in the right way, Hull College principal Debra Gray said it had the power to transform education.

She said: "AI enables teachers to become super-powered.

"This is like riding a bike. It enables the teacher and the student to get there faster.

"It doesn't change their dynamic. It doesn't change the process of learning."

Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday that the government planned to use AI across the UK to boost growth and deliver services more efficiently.

The prime minister said the technology presented an opportunity to rejuvenate UK public services.

Several "AI Growth Zones" around the UK will be created, involving big building projects and new jobs.

Teachers and small business owners were highlighted as two groups that could start using AI for things like faster planning and record-keeping.

AI is already being used in UK hospitals for important tasks such as diagnosing cancer more quickly and it will continue to be used to support the NHS.

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