The Impact of AI on Higher Education: Delving into the Future with Sara?

The Impact of AI on Higher Education: Delving into the Future with Sara?

Have you noticed a curious trend in recent student reports and dissertations? There's been a noticeable uptick in the use of the verb "delve." It seems that students everywhere are suddenly eager to "delve into" their research topics, "delve deeper" into complex issues, and "delve beneath the surface" of academic discourse. This linguistic shift might just be a sign of the times – or more specifically, a sign of AI's growing influence in academic writing. 

The Rise of "Delve" in Academic Writing

Interestingly, this observation isn't just anecdotal. Recent studies have shed light on this phenomenon. Philip Shapira, using the OpenAlex platform, found a significant increase in the use of "delve" in academic papers. The study revealed that:

• The use of "delve" was gradually increasing through 2022.
• There was a noticeable jump in 2023 when ChatGPT became widely available.
• The trend continued to increase in 2024.
• Remarkably, 46% of all papers mentioning "delve" between 1990 and March 31, 2024, were published in just the 15-month period from January 2023 to March 2024.

AI's Favorite Student: The Ubiquitous Sara

Speaking of AI's quirks, let's talk about Sara. If you've been using AI to generate mini case studies or examples, you might have noticed that "Sara" seems to be everyone's go-to name. But why Sara?

The prevalence of "Sara" (or "Sarah") in AI-generated content can be attributed to a few factors:

1. Simplicity and Universality: Sara is a relatively short, easy-to-spell name that's common in many cultures.
2. Data Bias: AI models are trained on vast amounts of text data. If "Sara" appears frequently in this training data, the AI is more likely to use it.
3. Neutral Connotations: Unlike some names that might carry strong cultural or historical associations, Sara is generally perceived as neutral.

This "Sara phenomenon" serves as a reminder that while AI can be incredibly useful, it also has its own patterns and biases that we need to be aware of.

HIM Business School: Embracing AI While Developing Critical Thinking

At HIM Business School, we recognize the transformative potential of AI in education. However, we also understand the importance of maintaining a critical perspective. Our approach is twofold:

1. Teaching AI Literacy: We equip our students with the skills to use AI tools effectively and ethically, emphasizing critical evaluation of AI-generated content.
2. Innovative Assessment Methods: To ensure genuine learning and skill development, we've adapted our assessment strategies to include:
   • Role-playing exercises: Students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
   • Real case studies: Analyzing and solving actual business problems promotes practical understanding.
   • Podcast creation: Students develop communication skills while demonstrating their grasp of complex topics.
   • Collaborative projects: Working in teams on real-world challenges fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills.

By combining AI literacy with innovative, hands-on learning experiences, we're preparing our students to be truly "world-ready." They'll enter the workforce not just familiar with AI tools, but equipped to use them wisely, ethically, and creatively.

In conclusion, as we delve (yes, delve!) into this AI-augmented future of education, it's crucial to strike a balance. We must harness the power of AI while nurturing the uniquely human skills of critical thinking, creativity, and ethical decision-making. At HIM Business School, we're committed to leading the way in this exciting new era of education.