Students get ready for AI 'credentials'

AI literacy is rapidly becoming the No1 curriculum priority for university departments not only in the UK but worldwide.

According to McKinsey, 88% of businesses are using AI in at least one business function and ChatGPT is now estimated to be the fifth most visited website in the world.

Liverpool Business School at LJMU has responded by delivering short courses in the form of 'micro-credentials' to equip students with not only the skills and knowledge but also evidence of their AI readiness.

Dr Gemma Dale, an expert in workforce development at the school said: "AI literacy is now a fundamental skill, and while the full impact of AI technologies on jobs and the labour market is yet to be understood, we can say with some certainty that employees will need to become skilled users of AI."

To date, around 100 students have completed the courses with a further 100 currently 'under training'.

The bigger picture

Micro-credentials are short, learning programmes that focus on specific themes, competencies, knowledge or skills. They have been suggested* as a potential solution to the forthcoming disruption to the world of work, and the rapid upskilling that will be required to address it.

Not only are they flexible and allow for quick content updates, but students can take them at a time that works for them, alongside their degree course. The LBS versions run over six weeks and are hosted on Canvas. Weekly topics include an introduction to AI, AI applications in business, generative AI and AI and the bigger picture - exploring risks, challenges and the potential future of AI technologies.

Each topic consists of an online lecture hosted on YouTube, scaffolded with personal reading, watching or listening to curated learning materials and followed by a task submitted weekly. Assessments are formative through quizzes and reflection and include activities requiring students to create content via generative AI and critically analyse it.

Keys to AI literacy

"We wanted to provide AI literacy that includes knowing and understanding AI tools, but also demonstrates critical thinking, evaluation and analytical judgement," added Gemma.

Initial feedback from participants has indicated that students found the course valuable, stimulating and challenging. They like the online format and found the credential easy to undertake alongside their other studies.

Some students chose to undertake the whole course over a short period rather than over several weeks.

Dr Mike Drummond, principal lecturer at LBS said: "It was clear from student feedback that many of them are already very familiar with generative AI tools but familiarity does not always extend to broader discussion about AI and its benefits, challenges and risks. This is a key part of AI literacy and one of these important employment related competencies."

For more information, contact Liverpool Business School lecturers:

Senior Lecturer Dr Gemma Dale [email protected]

Principal Lecturer Dr Mike Drummond [email protected]