Ciphr has launched a new AI in HE course to meet the growing demand for practical guidance on the ethical, responsible and effective use of AI by higher education staff and students.
This course focuses on real-world higher education situations and explores how AI can be used to support teaching, learning and professional practice.
This course is structured around four key themes to build people’s understanding, confidence, and critical awareness.
- Definition of AI and its common types (introducing what AI is, how it is evolving, and where it shows up in everyday life)
- Benefits and opportunities (how AI can support productivity, resilience, innovation, accessibility, and student outcomes)
- Risks and limitations (including concerns about key issues such as bias, academic integrity, maintaining compliance, environmental impact, and limiting AI output)
- Using AI responsibly in HE (a practical approach to implementation, including mindset, organizational guidelines and policies, and the importance of context and opportunities for service improvement)
The training will also explore new expectations around assessment design, student support, employability, accessibility and the use of AI.
David Marshall, learning transformation strategy advisor at HR software provider Ciphr, said:
“AI is already changing the way universities work, from teaching and research to student support, human resources, IT, administration and professional services.
“This new course, developed by Ciphr eLearning, provides university staff with a clear, practical foundation on what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how it can be used to save time, improve communication, support inclusion, and reduce day-to-day administrative pressures. This course is designed for staff from both academic and non-academic backgrounds and requires no technical knowledge.”
“The course also gives due attention to the risks of AI use: data privacy, confidentiality, academic integrity, bias, inaccuracy, ethics, compliance, over-reliance, and environmental impact.
“The message throughout the course is intentionally balanced. AI can be a powerful support tool, but it is not a substitute for professional judgment. Staff remain responsible for the accuracy, ethics, and outcomes of how they use AI.”
Ciphr’s new AI in HE eLearning takes a considered and applied approach to the use of AI, giving learners the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions about when and how to use AI in their work and study.
Ciphr eLearning, powered by Marshalls, has worked closely with many universities in the UK and Ireland for many years, including the University of Cambridge, the Association of Universities of Ireland, the University of Newcastle, UCL and the University of Oxford.
