Ethical concerns on the use of AI in academic tutoring services

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly influential tool in higher education, the HITS project has set out to address the ethical challenges surrounding its use in tutoring services. By crafting an ethical code, we aim to ensure AI technologies are applied in ways that are secure, inclusive, transparent, and beneficial to the diverse needs of students across Europe.
The HITS project has been interviewing experts on ten pivotal topics that will guide this ethical framework. Here’s a glimpse into some of these critical areas: 
Transparency and Informed Consent: How should students be informed about AI’s role in tutoring? We explored the history of informed consent and its current significance in AI applications.
Privacy and Data Security: With data privacy at the forefront, experts discuss challenges and best practices to safeguard student information in AI-enhanced tutoring.
Equity and Inclusion: Addressing how AI can support rather than hinder access to education for students from all backgrounds.
Bias and Fairness: Can AI truly be unbiased? Experts weigh in on reducing discrimination in AI-powered tutoring.
Human Oversight and Professional Development: AI in education should support, not replace, human insight. How can educators be equipped to work effectively alongside AI?
Student Empowerment and Continuous Improvement: AI’s impact on learning outcomes, personalization, and student agency—key aspects of an evolving educational landscape.

Each interview follows a structured format, including expert presentations, topic discussions, and tangible recommendations for effective tutoring practices. Through these conversations, we’re gathering valuable insights to inform the development of an ethical code for AI in higher education.

Why This Matters

The creation of an ethical code isn’t just an academic exercise; it’s a practical necessity. As AI permeates educational settings, it’s crucial to establish a framework that ensures these technologies uphold values of transparency, privacy, and inclusivity. Through the HITS project, we’re striving to create guidelines that empower both educators and students in a fair, secure, and ethically grounded learning environment.

Looking Ahead

With these interviews nearly complete, we’re excited to move forward with the insights we’ve gathered. Stay tuned as we continue to shape a brighter, more responsible future for AI in higher education.

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