Project REGAIN: Ethical use of GenAI by students

Description

The rapid expansion of GenAI technology since 2023, has both enabled and challenged HEIs globally. While GenAI has huge potential for enhancing learning, it also poses significant ethical risks, including academic misconduct, over-reliance, and privacy concerns. Project REGAIN (Regulating the Ethical use of Generative AI at Northampton) is creating a tool that educates students about responsible AI use. This session aligns with the symposium theme, “How can we foster a culture of responsible and ethical use of AI by staff and students?” and offers insights into REGAIN’s development, implementation, and potential for adaptation at other institutions.

Project REGAIN is a collaborative project grounded in student involvement and cross-disciplinary input. Initially, the project team conducted a literature review to identify the primary ethical risks associated with GenAI use in academia, including academic integrity, equity, and bias. To ensure the tool reflects both student and staff perspectives, a questionnaire was distributed to gather insights on perceived ethical concerns and priorities. This phase informed the tool’s design, focusing on scenario-based learning that presents ethical dilemmas students may encounter in their academic use of GenAI.

During this 15-minute session, attendees will learn about the key design elements of the REGAIN tool, which will use interactive scenarios to simulate ethical decision-making processes. The tool’s features will enable students to explore practical challenges, such as data privacy, and the appropriate boundaries of GenAI assistance in academic work. By using simulated ethical situations, REGAIN will promote an understanding of ethically-appropriate GenAI use in a way that is both engaging and reflective.

A distinguishing feature of REGAIN is its co-creation approach, with students involved in various stages of development and feedback. This presentation will highlight how this involvement has ensured the tool’s relevance to student experiences, while fostering a sense of accountability and shared responsibility in promoting ethical GenAI use. Learning Development Student Mentors, selected for their familiarity with digital learning tools, participated in co-design sessions and beta testing, bringing a unique student-centred perspective to the software. This session will provide practical guidance on how similar co-creation models can be implemented by other institutions looking to develop responsible GenAI use frameworks.

The presentation will conclude with a discussion on REGAIN’s broader impact, including its potential integration into student induction programs at the University of Northampton. Long-term, the tool aims to reduce incidents of unintentional academic misconduct and encourage ethical digital literacy among students. Attendees will gain insight into the REGAIN project’s structure, from its foundational objectives to its phased deployment plan, and will leave equipped with a replicable model for cultivating ethical GenAI practices within their own educational settings.

Ultimately, this session aims to inspire institutions to prioritize ethical GenAI literacy by showcasing REGAIN as an adaptable framework for responsible GenAI use in HE.

Period	25 Feb 2025
Event title	AdvanceHE AI Symposium 2025
Event type	Conference
Degree of Recognition	International