This module introduces Year 1 students to the emerging applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), focusing on how advanced AI tools are transforming creativity, communication, productivity, and innovation across different sectors and everyday life. Designed as an accessible Year 1 Academic Horizons module rather than a specialist technical module, it aims to develop foundational AI literacy, creative thinking, digital fluency, and critical awareness of the opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI technologies. The module sits within the Semester 1 exploratory interdisciplinary block. Through hands-on exploration and project-based activities, students will experiment with contemporary AI tools to create text, images, multimedia content, and simple AI-assisted solutions without requiring prior programming or technical knowledge. The module also introduces key concepts related to responsible AI use, including ethics, bias, privacy, intellectual property, and the societal impact of AI. It supports students’ transition into university learning through interdisciplinary exploration, collaboration, inquiry-based learning, and reflective practice, while providing an inclusive entry point for students from diverse academic backgrounds who wish to understand and creatively engage with AI technologies in contemporary society.
A. Identify and explain how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Model (LLM) technologies can be applied to address real-world problems, support creativity, communication, productivity, or innovation across different domains. B. Select and use appropriate AI tools and generative technologies to design and create simple AI-assisted content, solutions, or digital artefacts through experimentation, collaboration, and project-based activities. C. Critically evaluate the opportunities, limitations, ethical considerations, and societal implications of AI and generative technologies, including issues related to bias, privacy, misinformation, intellectual property, and responsible AI use.
The module uses a combination of introductory lectures, interactive seminars, guided exploration workshops, creative project clinics, group-based activities, and reflective learning tasks. Teaching is designed to support students in progressing from initial curiosity about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) towards confident and creative experimentation with contemporary AI tools and applications. Students will work individually and collaboratively to explore real-world uses of generative AI technologies, design and create simple AI-assisted content or solutions, and critically reflect on the opportunities, limitations, ethical considerations, and societal impact of AI in contemporary digital environments. The module is co-delivered with LIFE through the common Semester 1 Academic Horizons spine. School academic staff are responsible for providing interdisciplinary contexts, framing the global challenges, ensuring academic rigour, and assessing the final project output. LIFE staff support the inquiry process through facilitation of learning skills development, including responsible use of digital tools and artificial intelligence, teamwork and collaboration, reflective practice, effective use of feedback, and academic pathway exploration and alignment.