ETHICAL CONCERNS AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Abstract

The use of educational technologies that use elements of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming common across the engineering education terrain. With the wide adoption of generative AI based applications, this trend is only going to grow. Not only is the use of these technologies going to impact teaching, but engineering education research practices are as likely to be affected as well. From data generation and analysis, to writing and presentation, all aspects of research will potentially be shaped. In this practice paper we discuss the ethical implications of the use of generative AI technologies on engineering teaching and engineering education research. We present a discussion of potential and futuristic concerns raised by the use of these technologies. We bring to the fore larger organizational and institutional issues and the need for a framework for responsible use of technology within engineering education. Finally, we engage with the current literature and popular writing on the topic to build an understanding of the issues with the potential to apply them in teaching and research practices.