Hong Kong academia rethinking higher education as AI disrupts teaching and learning

Hong Kong's academic community is actively re-evaluating higher education in response to the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence on teaching and learning processes.

Joseph Li, a research assistant professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, shared how powerful AI chatbots have forced him to redesign his courses almost every semester. The rapid evolution of AI, especially since the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT in November 2022, has prompted a more radical reimagining of higher education. Li noted that traditional essay assessments have become less meaningful as AI can generate text "within seconds," leading to the incorporation of diverse grading methods, including handwritten tests, to accurately assess students.

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The logic is to make all these assignments interconnected and accumulative, so that [students] cannot instantly generate something for the sake of handing in their homework.

Universities across Hong Kong are exploring ways to cultivate "AI literacy" among students, aiming for a responsible and constructive approach to using emerging AI technologies. George Ho, an associate professor at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, stated that graduates will inevitably encounter and use AI, making it crucial to ensure they do so ethically and acquire the necessary skills. This shift involves moving from initial caution and even bans, such as the University of Hong Kong's temporary prohibition in early 2023, to a more integrated approach that allows students to use AI tools responsibly.

The integration of generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges. While it offers significant potential for innovative teaching and accelerated learning, it also raises critical questions about academic integrity and fairness. Educators are grappling with how to leverage AI's capabilities while maintaining educational standards and ensuring students develop genuine understanding and critical thinking skills.

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When [students] graduate, it is certain that they will be exposed to AI and they will use AI. What we need to do is to ensure they use it ethically, use it well, and acquire the necessary skills to master the technology.