Lauren Hunter, YU Communications Assistant
In February 2025, Yorkshire Universities (YU) hosted an informative and interactive session on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This session aimed to foster discussion around AI and its use in the higher education (HE) sector. Specifically, how AI could or should be used by communication colleagues working in HE and policy. The session was open to the YU Communications Network and colleagues from wider teams across all twelve of YU’s member institutions.
Artificial Intelligence, Policy, and Economic Growth
The timing of the session was notable given the announcement of the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was unveiled in January 2025. This investment in AI aims to drive the Government’s Plan for Change and support the delivery of its missions. In the announcement, it was identified that AI will be used to help boost economic growth, build an NHS fit for the future, and support the UK’s ability to become a clean energy superpower. As the use of AI increases across various UK industries, it is vital that the HE sector, and its diverse workforce, is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to integrate and utilise it effectively. In this context, we feel it’s increasingly important to provide spaces where HE staff can develop their AI literacy, spotlight areas for development, and share current best practices.
Collaborative Shaping and Knowledge Sharing
The session utilised the collaborative nature of our regional partnership to share knowledge and resources from across our twelve members. In the run up to the session, we set up a Padlet to allow colleagues to submit questions, form the structure and tailor the session to their needs. We also asked the YU Communications Network to help identify academic experts at their institutions who were able to give a broad introduction to the following key AI themes and topics:
- ‘An Introduction to AI’ by Professor Yanguo Jing, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Dean of Faculty of Business, Computing and Digital Industries at Leeds Trinity University.
- ‘Demystifying AI Ethics’ by Professor Marjory Da Costa Abreu, Associate Professor in Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Transforming Lives Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University.
- ‘Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO): Using AI Tools’ by Dr. Julius Mboli, Lecturer in Data Science, AI & Modelling Centre at the University of Hull.
You can access the speaker’s presentation slides here. Attendees were also able to ask questions and engage in discussions.
The second half of the session focused on the delivery of tailored scenarios aimed at HE staff workflows. This involved a focus on increasing efficiencies through various means, whether that’s organising internal data sets or aiding creative thinking. Some specific examples included the use of AI to create an email template, using AI tools for content generation, and identifying fake news and deep fakes. During the completion of these tasks, vital conversations around sustainability, ethics, copyright, privacy, and policy took place. We used the same Padlet and turned into a resource bank to collate key takeaways, principles and guidance articles, tools, resources and webinars for further reading.
Key Takeaways
This session was able to provide colleagues across our membership with an introduction to AI. It was clear that communication colleagues were ready and willing to learn more about the use of artificial intelligence in HE and its place in their own workflows. It also became clear that colleagues may benefit from exploring this topic further and benefit from having a place to continue discussions as this technology, particularly generative AI, continues to develop. To support this need, we will continue to update the Padlet resource over the course of 2025.
Importantly, the session highlighted five key takeaways:
- AI can be used, but it must be used responsibly and ethically.
- AI doesn’t think like a human — it may not consider context and they are largely just data output machines.
- Consider your institutions guidelines and any copyright implications.
- Think about the impact of the environment when you use generative AI tools.
- AI tools may be better optimised for creative thinking and idea generation than actual content outputs.
Each of these key takeaways serve as quick reminders of the session’s key themes and discussion. They may also be useful as starting points for those wanting to learn about AI.
Next Steps
According to Prime Minister Kier Starmer, artificial intelligence is already “pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery in our universities”. Although AI’s adoption is already being accepted in our higher education institutes for research and innovation purposes, it is important that the HE sector recognises the needs of its diverse workforce. AI literacy is an important skill for all colleagues, not just our academics. Therefore, it is important that more departments, including student support, communications, estates, and others, are included in these developments. This will ensure that all colleagues are informed on best practice, especially as AI continues to evolve.
Collaboration will also remain central to the use of AI in our higher education institutes. With the rapid advancements of these digital technologies, it is essential that we utilise our partnerships and networks to develop responsible and ethical initiatives for the good of our local economies and communities across the Yorkshire & Humber region and beyond.
