AI – and particularly Generative AI which involves creating new content such as images or text from prompts – have gained considerable attention. With so many new tools and uses for Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI, it can be difficult knowing where to start. One starting point is to find out where you are with your own knowledge using the Discovery Tool’s new ‘Digital skills in AI and Generative AI’ questionnaire.
The Discovery tool has been available for both staff and students at Southampton since August 2022. It is part of a wider initiative around developing the digital capabilities of staff and students at the University. I gave this latest questionnaire a try myself and thought I’d share my experiences here.
The questionnaire : What it involves
The questionnaire took me about 10 minutes to complete. It helped me reflect on my capabilities and opportunities to develop skills in 7 areas of digital capability. Once I completed the questionnaire, I received my personalised report. This included a radar chart of my results and text summaries for each capability. It also has a resource bank and suggests resources alongside some next steps I could take to build my confidence and skills. Below is a screenshot of my radar chart:
The questionnaire : My thoughts and findings
I found the process of taking the questionnaire quite informative. I realised ‘AI and digital communication’ is currently my strongest skillset. This is mainly because when I communicate, I already consider whether AI-generated content is accurate, appropriate, inclusive and accessible. I also learnt that in terms of ‘Responsible AI’, although I was aware of uneven gender representation and concerns relating to privacy and data storage, I hadn’t really considered the sustainability impact of using Generative AI tool. For example, the increased water usage generated by using tools. This has definitely made me take more time to consider how I word prompts before using Gen AI tools to limit this environmental impact.
My report also took some interesting suggestions from the resource bank. For example, a course using Copilot with Excel that I could use to boost my AI and data literacy capabilities. This is something I definitely plan on exploring.
Where can I find the questionnaire and resource bank?
- Use the link to log in and access the staff ‘Digital skills in AI and Generative AI’ Discovery Tool questionnaire. You will need to log in using your University credentials).
- Use this link to access the Discovery Tool’s resource bank for staff.
Self-assess your AI and Generative AI capabilities : Recorded workshop for staff and students (30 minutes)
This 30-minute recorded workshop is for both staff and students. It explores how to use the Discovery Tool’s ‘Digital skills in AI and generative AI’ questionnaire to assess your current capabilities and identify resources that will help you build them.
Watch the recording : Self-assess your AI and Generative AI capabilities: Recorded workshop
What about support for students?
- Students can access the student ‘Digital skills in AI and Generative AI’ Discovery Tool questionnaire here. They can also access the 30-minute workshop outlined above.
- Students can access all of the skills-building resources in the Discovery Tool’s resource bank for students.
More AI and Generative AI information
- The ‘Digital skills in AI and Generative AI’ page of the ‘Building digital capabilities’ SharePoint site : Resources and information for both staff and students.
- University guidance and institutional policy regarding the use of AI is available on the Generative Artificial Intelligence Working group’s SharePoint page.