As work to develop an AI strategy gets underway, Lancaster University will prepare interim guidance for staff and students. You can help by sharing your AI experiences and concerns.

A living strategy that will evolve with AI

Lancaster is developing an AI strategy that will shape the University’s use of AI.

It will be a living strategy designed to help University members make timely, evidence-based and responsible decisions as AI technologies continue to evolve.

Objectives include:

• developing guidance for the appropriate use of AI in teaching and research
• supporting staff and student wellbeing
• enabling innovation and improving institutional effectiveness
• ensuring that AI is used with purpose in ways that reflect the University’s values, standards and responsibilities, including academic standards, human judgement, data security, equity, environmental sustainability and public good.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebecca Lingwood is working alongside Professor of Mathematical AI Christopher Nemeth and Distinguished Professor Nigel Davies to develop the strategy.

She said: “We don’t want to make assumptions about uptake of AI; we propose that the University promotes and enables use of AI where it adds genuine value, that we govern it where it creates risk, and that we ensure that any adoption remains consistent with our values.

“Opportunities to contribute to the AI strategy development started recently within the digital theme of the University’s strategy discussions; these opportunities will continue over the coming months. Thank you to those who have already contributed.

“Now, we’re developing some practical, interim AI guidance to answer some of those tricky questions that may be affecting your daily work. We would be grateful for your support in completing a short survey to inform the creation of the interim guidance. Tell us what questions you’d like clarifying!”

Interim guidance and how you can contribute

Building on existing work, interim AI guidance will now be developed to provide staff and students with greater clarity on key issues across the University’s activities.

A short survey, open to all Lancaster University staff, invites you to share your experiences of AI and to highlight areas that you think should be covered by the interim guidance.

You can highlight risks and opportunities in your area of work and provide suggestions for where staff and students need AI support.

The survey, which you can access online, can be completed individually, or you may choose to discuss the topics within your team and make a group submission.

The aim is to provide new interim guidance by the start of the next academic year.

How to ask questions

If you have any questions, please email dvc.aistrategy@lancaster.ac.uk