AI literacy

What is AI literacy?

Generative AI is currently a hot topic in academia. Generative AI refers to systems that can be used to create text, image, video or audio content. The ability to generate text, in particular, has major implications for university teaching, and skills are needed to deal with it. Such AI skills include a technical understanding of how generative and non-generative AI technologies work and their practical application. Critical analysis of the ethical, legal and social contexts is also relevant. AI literacy can also help users to have realistic expectations of the capabilities of AI-enabled tools.

KI:edu.nrw project network

Since 2024, HeiCAD has been working more intensively on the topic of AI literacy. As part of the KI:edu.nrw project, which is being realised under the umbrella of the Digital University NRW in collaboration with Ruhr University Bochum and RWTH Aachen University and is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW) of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, HeiCAD will in future focus on the area of how university lecturers can be taught skills in dealing with AI.

AI for teachers

As part of the KI:edu.nrw project, HeiCAD is developing an online self-study course for university lecturers on the topic of 'generative AI'. The course will cover the technical background, legal issues as well as social and ecological problems. University-specific didactic issues such as exam adaptation and performance assessment will also be addressed. Teachers should gain a comprehensive basic understanding of AI, which will support reflection in their own teaching.

The AI for Teachers course is expected to be published as a self-study course on the AI Campus at the end of summer 2025. All relevant information will be available here shortly.