Title: Generative artificial intelligence in higher education for the future labour market
Head of the research group: doc. dr. Dejan Ravšelj
In the context of rapid technological evolution, higher education faces the dual challenge of personalizing learning experiences and aligning educational outcomes with labor market demands. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) represents a pivotal innovation in this realm, offering tools that can dynamically generate educational content and learning pathways tailored to diverse student needs, ultimately preparing students for the future labor market. Despite AI not being an entirely new technology, generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Bard, and Claude, among others, differ from traditional AI by imitating human conversation and producing unique outputs in text, image, audio, and video formats, relying on machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks trained on vast datasets. The recent advances in generative AI will challenge not only higher education but also the labor market, with both positive and negative consequences anticipated. Generative AI is expected to displace workers in routine jobs, leading to unemployment, declining wages, and increased income inequality. However, it may also create new high-skilled jobs and boost productivity and economic growth. The impact on the labor market, among other challenges disproportionately affected by a tax burden, is closely tied to skills mismatches, potentially causing long-term unemployment for those unable to acquire new skills.
The recent advances in generative AI have posed challenges and opportunities to the traditional model of higher education, with limited research on modernizing higher education to be more responsive to future labor market dynamics. Higher education, which plays a vital role in developing future workforce, can offset the harmful effects of generative AI on the labor market by utilizing the same technology to enhance learning and skills development. Following recent trends, educational institutions must offer students contemporary and efficient learning tools while adapting to the fast-evolving technological landscape, which includes generative AI as an increasingly prominent element. To appropriately prepare students for the future labor market, which will inevitably include AI, it is essential for educational institutions to equip students with the appropriate skills, both those related to AI and other relevant areas. Accordingly, pedagogical practices at educational institutions need to be revised and updated in light of the recent AI paradigm shift in society.
The main aim of the start-up programme is to explore the integration of generative AI technology into higher education curricula to enhance student preparedness for the future labor market by developing a responsive educational framework that leverages AI to keep pace with technological advancements and shifting labor market demands, ultimately fostering a more adaptable and skilled workforce. To achieve this, the programme will focus on three primary objectives. Firstly, the programme will identify challenges and opportunities for enhancing learning experiences with generative AI by prioritizing student feedback. This feedback will guide the development of AI-integrated curricula designed to provide personalized learning pathways that adapt to individual student learning paces and styles. In this context, the programme will propose interactive AI-powered learning platforms that offer real-time adaptation and personalized feedback, making learning more engaging and effective. Secondly, the programme will examine the alignment of educational outcomes with labor market demands through collaboration with industry practitioners. This collaboration will ensure that the knowledge and skills imparted to students are relevant to real-world requirements. In this context, the programme will develop curriculum proposals that include practical experience opportunities, such as AI-focused internships, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Lastly, the programme will propose solutions to enhance student preparedness for the future labor market by emphasizing holistic skill development. This approach will encompass technical AI skills and essential soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving to ensure students can thrive in diverse professional environments.
Given that generative AI is a relatively new technology, the start-up programme will primarily focus on assessing the sentiments of students as early adopters, while also involving educators and employers as relevant stakeholders. Students represent the future workforce, soon entering the labor market, and their perceptions of the challenges and opportunities of generative AI in higher education are extremely valuable for its further adoption. The programme will commence with a comprehensive needs assessment, involving surveys and interviews not only with students but also with other key stakeholders such as educators and employers. The methodology thus involves a multi-phase research and development process, beginning with a thorough analysis of student needs, followed by the examination of the alignment of educational outcomes with labor market demands, and finally by the investigation of student preparedness for the future labor market. The data will be analyzed to assess the effectiveness of the generative AI tools in enhancing learning outcomes and preparing students for the future labor market.
The anticipated results of the start-up programme include solutions and proposals for integrating generative AI in higher education to enhance learning experiences and increase student engagement, improve the alignment of educational outcomes with labor market demands, and promote holistic skill development for future workforce success. First, addressing the challenges and opportunities for generative AI to provide personalized learning pathways and interactive AI-powered platforms that offer real-time adaptation and feedback is expected to lead to improved student retention, performance, and satisfaction. Second, collaboration with industry practitioners and identifying practical experience opportunities such as AI-focused internships will ensure that students possess relevant and in-demand skills, thereby enhancing their employability and labor market readiness. Lastly, the proposals for policy actions emphasizing both technical AI skills and essential soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving will help produce a more adaptable and skilled workforce capable of thriving in diverse professional environments.
Duration (from/to):
1. 1. 2005—31. 12. 2028
Contracting Authority:
Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Financing:
The project is being financed with 100.000 EUR yearly, for 3 years.
