Staff and postgraduate students gathered at the ICT laboratory in Soshanguve for the Ethical Use of AI workshop “Empowering all learners and leaders”. The three-day engagement explored the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, putting ethics, responsible innovation, and human-centered values at the heart of digital transformation.
The workshop, hosted by Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Dr. Michael Moeti and supported by Faculty Administrator Lizzie Mafora, provided a comprehensive platform for participants to engage with real-world AI applications and explore how technology can be responsibly integrated into academic environments.
The program focused on the practical use of AI in education, demonstrating how digital tools can support teaching and learning, improve the operations of educational institutions, and strengthen academic and security systems. Participants also considered five key ways educational leaders can leverage AI to improve organizational effectiveness while upholding academic integrity and ethical standards.
Through demonstrations, presentations, and interactive discussions, staff and graduate students explored the opportunities and responsibilities that come with implementing AI. The discussion encouraged participants to consider equity, accountability, privacy, transparency, and human-centered values that should guide digital innovation.
This workshop highlighted important realities in higher education. AI is becoming an increasingly influential tool, but its value depends on thoughtful and responsible implementation.
Dr. Moeti emphasized the importance of equipping the academic community with both technical knowledge and ethical awareness.
“As the digital environment continues to evolve, higher education institutions have a responsibility to ensure that their staff and students are not only exposed to new technologies, but are equipped to use them ethically and responsibly. Workshops such as this will enable our faculty to confidently approach AI while keeping education and human development at the heart of it.”
The workshop also introduced participants to educational technology and AI-powered tools designed to support modern teaching and learning environments. The demonstration showed how these innovations can be meaningfully integrated into higher education settings.
Industry specialist and facilitator Ryan Gallus conducted the training session and shared valuable insights on ethical AI practices and educational innovation. He thanked the organizers for the opportunity to engage with the TUT community and welcomed future cooperation.
Dr. Bertie Buitendag, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, reflected on the value of the training for staff and graduate students, and emphasized the importance of understanding both the possibilities and limitations of AI in academia.
“This workshop created a valuable opportunity for staff and students to engage with AI beyond theory. Understanding how these tools can support teaching, research, and academic operations, while recognizing the ethical responsibilities that come with it, is essential to preparing the academic community for an increasingly AI-driven future.”
The workshop reinforced key messages for FoICT and the higher education sector. Artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities for innovation and growth, but its greatest value lies in ensuring that it is used responsibly, inclusively and ethically.
