AI skills project impact to be highlighted at major workshop

The 'Generative Artificial Skills in Schools (GenAISiS)' project was developed by Dr Konstantina (Dina) Martzoukou, Associate Professor, School of Law and Social Sciences at RGU in collaboration with Dr Chinedu Pascal Ezenkwu, Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering & Technology. The project is being funded by Responsible AI in partnership with the University and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS).

The project is connected to The Maddie is Online cartoon video series, which is for school children aged 9-12 years old and has been developed to illustrate the dangers of the online environment. It is freely available on YouTube.

The results of the GenAISis project will be delivered at a workshop on Wednesday 18 June. Part of the presentation will include a screening of a video cartoon story co-created with young people, which features their own voices and addresses the experiences they shared. The presentation will also showcase an open educational toolkit that features a range of activities and resources for schools. A GenAiSiS workshop is also being held at Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Academy on Thursday 12 June.

Dr Martzoukou said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of the everyday for young people and being able to work alongside them to help create our Maddie is Online series has been a fantastically positive experience for myself and the researchers. Also being able to work with teachers and school librarians from across Scotland has meant the resources created as part of this can make a positive impact where they are needed most.

“I hope everyone attending the workshop at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow will gain an understanding of the positive impact of our work and the vital role that the pupils have played in shaping it.”

Marcie Hudson, a pupil from Hazlehead Academy, Aberdeen, said: “I found this project intriguing, entertaining, and educational. Learning about different AI platforms, such as Copilot and GPT-3, which I had never heard of before, was quite enjoyable. It was also exceptionally fun to explore these AI platforms and uncover how they worked. I found out that AI transfers words into numbers to understand what they are being told, which I thought was extremely captivating.”

Andrew Rodriquez, Eastwood High School, East Renfrewshire, said: “I feel very grateful to be part of this project, I enjoyed doing the voice overs and it was also fun making the different characters. I learned to use AI better I think. When I was looking for images, for example, I realised the need to find the right prompts to do so. I do feel that I understand AI a bit better after being in this project.”

Raia Florence, who attends Forfar Academy, said: “I was excited to take part in this project because it’s a fascinating topic which I’d never been taught anything about before. I enjoyed being creative with my learning and having some control over what we were doing. I feel much more educated about GenAI now and I feel able to use it responsibly.”

Sean McNamara, Director Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS), said: “CILIPS are very much looking forward to supporting this exciting event. School librarians can play a key role in supporting young people to engage with Generative AI in a safe and ethical way and we are delighted to be a part of this project.”

Researchers also worked with librarians from across Scotland including Ioannis Panayiotakis, School Librarian from Eastwood High School in East Renfrewshire, Diane Scott, Library Resource Centre Co-ordinator, Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen, and Emma Grey, School Librarian at Forfar Academy.

Dr Martzoukou has also written a piece about GenAISiS project, which can be found on the School of Law & Social Sciences Blog. 

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [grant number EP/Y009800/1], through funding from Responsible Ai UK (RAI-SK-BID-00024).

To register for the event at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow please the link below.

Main image:  Dr Dina Martzoukou with a group of school pupils.