Critical GenAI Literacy

Grasping the fundamentals of GenAI is increasingly vital for academic and professional growth.  As a student it is important to learn how GenAI operates, explore the tools it offers, and understand its limitations, risks, and ethical concerns. A critical aspect of GenAI literacy involves acknowledging its implications for academic integrity.

General GenAI Knowledge:

• Foundations: Understand what GenAI is and a non-technical understanding of operational mechanics.
• Tool Awareness: Knowledge of the various GenAI models and tools available is crucial.
• Limitations and Ethics: Recognising GenAI’s limitations, potential risks, and ethical dilemmas is essential.
• Academic Integrity: The relationship between GenAI and academic integrity must be carefully considered, emphasizing the importance of responsible use.

Using GenAI:

• Supporting Learning: Exploring how GenAI tools can aid in learning and content creation.
• Effective Interaction: Developing strategies for efficient interaction with GenAI tools, such as prompt engineering, is vital.
• Copyright Awareness: Understanding copyright considerations is crucial when using GenAI-generated content.

Critical Analysis of GenAI Outputs:

• Prompt Modification: Understand how to analyze outputs and refine prompts to achieve desired results.
• Content Evaluation: Before using AI-generated content, a thorough analysis regarding accuracy, bias, ethical considerations, and source verification is necessary.

This literacy extends beyond just understanding the technical aspects of GenAI; it also includes the critical thinking and reflective abilities necessary for responsibly assessing AI-generated content and its wider consequences in a higher education context.