At the University of Southampton (UoS), we aim to develop our teaching, learning and assessment to ensure that education prepares students to be critically digitally literate and responsible, ethical, skilled users of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), ready for work and life in an AI-enabled world.
We understand that it will take some time for all of us to gain awareness in how AI can support our teaching and learning. Across the University we are working to develop AI literacy and support for students and staff.
How are students using GenAI?
Recent research from the Higher Education Policy Unit (HEPI) indicates that most HE students are using generative AI tools in some way. HEPI reported in February 2025 that use of GenAI by undergraduates between 2024 and 2025 has rapidly increased, with 92% now reporting that they use AI in some way, and 88% for support with assessments. The same report noted that students felt staff to be ‘better equipped’ to support them in using GenAI (42%) than in 2024 (18%) but that they want more support and guidance.
UoS advice for students
Our advice for students is that GenAI can be used to support their studies but should not be used for assessed work that is claimed as their own work. We advise that students should:
- Always check with their tutor to understand how GenAI should/should not be used in learning and assignments. Advice might differ between modules/programmes.
- Be critical of AI outputs as they often contain inaccuracies, misleading information, or do not demonstrate the level of thinking we require.
- Not use AI to replace their thinking/work.
- Use AI responsibly: learn how to use AI effectively through relevant questioning and get into the habit of checking outputs using other resources.
- Be aware of wider issues related to use of AI, including challenges associated with data privacy and sustainability.
Our advice to students can be found here.
Bite-sized task
In this task, you will watch a short video featuring our own students talking about their use of GenAI and then consider how this might relate to the work your own students do.
Step 1 – learn
Watch this 8-minute video which features four of our own students talking about their use of AI.
Step 2 – do
When you have watched the video, consider how far the students’ comments reflect what you know about your own students’ use of GenAI and their understanding of AI. Do you see similarities or differences? How?
Talk to your own students about their use of GenAI to support their learning.
Here are some questions you might ask your students:
- How do you use GenAI to support your learning? For example, do you use it for idea generation, for notetaking or summarising, translation or another purpose?
- Do you find GenAI useful? Why/why not?
- What would you like to know more about to use AI to support your learning on my module/programme?
- How would you feel about me – as your educator – using AI to support how I teach the module/programme?
Step 3 – reflect
What are your thoughts on how students are using GenAI in learning? What have your students told you about how they use GenAI or want to use GenAI?
Does what you learn surprise you?
What do you need to learn more about to understand how students are using GenAI in their learning on your module/programme?
Join the conversation
Post your thoughts on the weekly Teams post to join the conversation.
Further links
Generative AI working group – information for UoS staff
Digital Learning team guidance on using Copilot and building digital capabilities in AI
FEPS SharePoint site: GenAI in education (including their GenAI protocol for FEPS disciplines)
FAH – GenAI working week - session recordings and a toolkit for talking about AI with your students
Contributor biography
Kate Borthwick is Professor of Digital Education in Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. She is the Lead for AI in education at the University and chair of the University Digital Education Advisory Group.  She is Director of the University open online course programme and is an award-winning lecturer and learning designer.
© 2025. This work is openly licensed via CC BY-NC-SA