Integrating AI into existing curricula at institutions across the Honoris Network
Samar Mouchawrab, Université Mundiapolis de Casablanca
The School of Engineering at Mundiapolis University offers a Master’s program in Data Science and AI. It also provides courses in Data Science and AI within its Software Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Aeronautical Systems Engineering programs. These courses include topics like Machine Learning and AI tools for industry.
Recently, several faculty members have incorporated AI tools like ChatGPT into their courses. For example, in a Mathematics course, students now utilise ChatGPT to generate code for solving equations. This tool serves as a convenient assistant, similar to how a scientific calculator was traditionally used. Students find value in the tool’s convenience and support in their learning process.
At Mundiapolis, projects utilising AI in the areas of autonomous vehicles and assistive equipment for individuals with disabilities are actively pursued.
Marnell Kirsten, Lecturer in Visual Studies, Red and Yellow Creative School of Business
On May 25th, Visual Studies lecturer at Red and Yellow, Marnell Kirsten, delivered two engaging lectures during the International Week for the Design and Communications faculty at Artevelde.
The first lecture, titled “Out of Africa: Images of Africa, from colonial discourse to the 21st century,” offers a concise historical overview of colonial discourse and its visual implications specifically related to the African continent. Through interactive discussions, the lecture examines how visual colonial discourse persists from the era of 19th century colonialism to contemporary bias and reinforced stereotypes in AI and digital spaces.
The second lecture, “Africa Imag(in)ed: But that’s not what AI stands for!” is a two-part session. The first part involves an interactive exercise aimed at understanding how AI-generated images portray Cape Town, a renowned South African tourist destination.
Expanding on this exercise, the session delves into the spatial politics within post-apartheid Cape Town, addressing the intricate complexities surrounding history, memory, and visual representation, including AI-generated images, of the city. Through these discussions, the lectures aim to explore how historical and present-day spatial power dynamics are visualised and, possibly, challenged within these images.
REGENT Business School
REGENT Business School is incorporating AI integration into their existing curricular structures instead of offering separate AI programs. This strategy aims to provide contextually relevant AI content that can be practically applied, enhancing the learning experiences of students in various disciplines.
In the iLeadLab, the institution has actively integrated responsible use of generative AI tools into their curriculum for several years. They utilise various AI-powered platforms to enhance students’ learning experiences. For logo design and branding, tools like Looka.com and Brandmark.io generate innovative ideas. AI copywriting tools like Rytr.me and Copy.ai aid in swiftly generating content for presentations and websites.
Meanwhile, ChatGPT assists students in ideation and drafting business materials. They also explore generative art tools like Mid Journey, DALL-E, Blue Willow, and Leonardo.ai, alongside locally installed models.
Students gain hands-on experience with Oobabooga and Alpaca Electron for running and training models, while also experimenting with AutoGPT and its agents. This demonstrates their commitment to cutting-edge AI-based learning solutions.
REGENT is also involved in AI-related projects and initiatives. One project focuses on developing a chatbot named Esta for real estate agent interactions, while another project utilises locally trained AI models to create personalised course content.
The institution is preparing to launch an updated version of the chatbot with additional features. Additionally, they are developing a self-correcting learning tool that generates customised courses based on students’ abilities. These initiatives aim to enhance practical learning experiences and tailor education to individual students’ needs.
The institution benefits from the active involvement of staff members, namely Sizwe and Richard, in the field of AI. Their dedicated efforts revolve around harnessing, exploring, and experimenting with AI tools to enhance different facets of the institution. They contribute by integrating AI into curricula, exploring its potential in administrative processes, and developing custom AI tools tailored to the specific requirements of the institution.