Abstract Book of the 8th International Academic Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning
Year: 2025
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Networked Capacity Building for AI Integration: Lurk, Seek, Lead
Ashwini K Datt
ABSTRACT:
The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniable. Some question the relevance of formal education altogether, yet others are skeptical that AI’s impact on higher education is overhyped. We need to proactively build our capacity to fully understand the underlying technology and its integration in teaching and learning due to the fast pace of developments in the generative AI space. Appropriate AI integration will require us to address technological, pedagogical, ethical, and practical challenges, while needing institutional support through equitable and inclusive policies and processes. This paper posits that networking can help build awareness of AI and facilitate collective development of knowledge and skills for its appropriate integration in teaching and learning in higher education. A recent mixed-methods study with participants across 23 countries, showed that networkers create value by: (1) passively accessing and benefitting from collective wisdom in the network, or actively connecting for (2) on-going interaction, exchange of information, and (3) building lasting professional collaborations. I apply the Lurker, Seeker and Leader roles derived from the data, to firstly explore how those who are overwhelmed by recent developments in generative AI, lurk in networks to reflect on what it means to be a digital citizen in this age. Secondly, how active networkers can build AI literacy by seeking answers on identity, citizenship, ethics and pedagogy. Lastly, I look at change agents, leaders who solve problems posed by AI. Their leadership is not only concerned with disseminating knowledge but critiquing and influencing practices for suitable integration of AI in teaching and learning. I conclude with a critical reflection of the constraints within which we can build capacity to teach with AI.
Keywords: digital citizenship, ethics, innovation, pedagogy, professional learning