The Priority: Making sure both harms and benefits of AI are discussed in the curriculum with consistent regulations across departments.
Context: AI usage is becoming increasingly common across the universities. Two student proposals, ‘Reducing AI Topics in Lectures and Seminars’ and ‘Let’s Put a Stop to Generative AI’ backed by popular campaigns highlighted the importance of making sure AI is on the SUs agenda. One proposal highlighted the need to open up a conversation around A.I and its consequences, not just 'positives' - and putting a stop to its wide use. The other emphasised a need to pull back on the amount of lectures and seminars we have on AI, especially in the arts courses and for the damage AI causes to be acknowledged and explained.
What we’ve achieved
Key Outcomes:
- Your President Exeter is attending bi-weekly catchups with the University of Exeter’s AI Strategy Lead, and sits on the AI student training and capability workstream, where he is advocating for resources to support AI literacy and informed choices around AI use
- Presidents have spoken to Falmouth University about AI use to try and establish current plans around policy and use
Why this matters
Last May’s Forum had the highest attendance of any Forum so far – this demonstrates the importance you place on having clarity around AI use in the curriculum and making sure critical conversations are being had around harms and benefits. AI doesn't just have a massive impact on our students today, but potential impacts on the planet they will inherit too. As AI continues to grow in popularity, it is more important than ever that our universities aren’t left behind and students are helping to shape the conversation.
What’s next?
Immediate Next Steps:
- Working with the university on new resources to support AI literacy, establish a consistent baseline of knowledge for all students and ensure students can make informed decisions around AI use, based on understanding of the ethical challenges and opportunities.
- Speaking to Falmouth University about their AI work
- Speaking to students about what they want this priority to look like
Accountability Check: Updates on these actions will be shared at the next Student Forum on 2nd December 2026.
Your Turn!
Want to get involved? Here's how:
- Stay Updated: Check our website for priority blog updates, and make sure you’re reading your weekly SU newsletters!
- Make a change: Got a campaign idea relating to this priority? Submit it on Make A Change, and if it gets 10 upvotes in 6 weeks it may be discussed and voted on at the next Student Forum!
- Take Action: share your feedback or start a campaign
- Questions or ideas? Get in touch via presidents@thesu.org.uk - we'd love to hear from you.