– By Professor Mark Osborn, RMIT University

What are the roles of humans in science (and STEM) in an AI-empowered world? This question must be at the forefront as we grapple with the opportunities and challenges of AI. 

Much of the bandwidth on AI within universities focuses on the risks of generative AI to academic integrity. We see defensive positions being taken, with the return to in-person examinations, following formats little changed from those used for centuries. 

Is this the best we can do?

Being provocative, I ask: Is this the best we can do? Is this approach a disservice to our students and graduates? We need to support these students and prepare for their future careers, in which fluency in AI is an absolute essential.

Next comes agentic AI, designed to meet goals without human intervention. We must reconsider and indeed reshape what university science looks like in a world where agentic AI can transform teaching practice and student learning. Equally, we are already seeing agentic approaches revolutionising the way scientific research and translation are undertaken and accelerated.

We know there are many well-documented concerns relating to AI, including significant environmental concerns about energy and water usage, and genuine concerns of AI biases that cause damage to many members of our society. Equally, more existential concerns relate to what unshackled AI could unleash in competition with humans. I call out here and encourage reading of a recent statement by Frontier AI leaders, exploring these concerns.

Equity of opportunity

Perhaps lost within these discussions is consideration of equity of opportunity. Our sector is quite rightly being challenged to improve access to university education across all parts of society. We must design our approach to empower all students and researchers. This work must deliberately commit to supporting fairer and more equitable education opportunities, and equally develop an AI-empowered research ecosystem that increases opportunities for all. 

We need honest conversation

As a Science Dean, I now call for an urgent and honest conversation across our universities. Crucially, we must work with our students, staff and industry. Together we can harness the opportunities of AI across science, with embedded and foundational commitments to responsible AI practice. 

Professor Mark Osborn
Dean, School of Science
RMIT University