AUT’s AI approach and principles

At AUT, we believe AI should serve people, not the other way around. That's why we've built our AI strategy on clear principles that put ethics, equity and human connection at the centre of everything we do. Our approach to AI isn't about replacing what makes education meaningful – it's about enhancing it.

Here's how we're making AI work for everyone at AUT:

AI with heart and purpose

The eight guiding principles for AUT’s AI journey are:

  1. AI for all: AUT will ensure that all students and staff have opportunities to equitably benefit from AI through access, support and training.
  2. Integrity: Academic rigour and integrity will continue to be upheld while embracing AI's transformative potential in teaching and research.
  3. Collaboration: AUT will work collaboratively to share experiences and approaches, both internally and with other partners and stakeholders.
  4. He tangata, he tangata: AUT will adopt human-centered approaches to AI deployment, striving for practices that promote ethical use, equity, transparency and security, acknowledging the inherent challenges of AI systems in these areas.
  5. Tikanga raraunga: AUT will commit to processes that are tikanga adjacent to ensure the ethical use and protection of Māori and Indigenous data.
  6. Strategic advancement for public good: AUT will use AI to advance our vision, mission and strategy, including Te Aronui, utilising AI in the interest of the public good, environmental sustainability and for the betterment of all our communities.
  7. Kanohi ki te kanohi: AUT affirms the unique and irreplaceable value of human-to-human connection in education and university life, while recognising that AI can enhance, complement and judiciously substitute for human interaction in appropriate contexts.
  8. Excellence and leadership: AUT, as a university of technology, will make bold contributions to the field and application of AI that create impact through applied and transformational education and research.

Weaving AI into everything we do

Rather than pursuing AI for its own sake, AUT’s strategic approach is to harness AI's capabilities to enhance the three key strategic outcomes as identified in Te Kete, the AUT strategy:

  • Producing graduates the world needs
  • Conducting knowledge discovery and application with purpose
  • Building partnerships that accelerate impact

From AI vision to AI action

Our approach to AI adoption is:

  1. Integrated: Weaving AI throughout the university's fabric
  2. Transparent and visible: Maintaining clear priorities and governance
  3. Empowering and enabling: Supporting staff with guidance and permissions
  4. Educative: Building AI capability across our community
  5. Innovative: Seeking transformative opportunities
  6. Mission anchored, strategically adaptive: Evaluating initiatives based on contribution to strategic goals
  7. Adaptive: Continuously evolving our approach
  8. Strategic investment: Coordinating resources to maximise impact

AI research

Our vision is to embrace AI as a catalyst for groundbreaking research across all disciplines, and researchers across AUT are already exploring the opportunities AI offers to build a smarter, healthier and more connected world.

EXPLORE AI RESEARCH

AI in learning and teaching

To ensure that all AUT graduates are confident in an AI-integrated workforce, we’re transforming assessment design, integrating AI across all disciplines, and providing guidance for staff and students on using AI.

WHAT WE’RE DOING

AUT’s AI Acceleration Centre

A key part of AUT’s AI strategy is establishing the AI Acceleration Centre, which will serve as a key driver in AUT's AI journey and a catalyst for AI adoption and innovation across AUT.

The AI Acceleration Centre will primarily focus on internal change management to weave AI into all aspects of AUT's operations, but will also work with businesses and communities across Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand to lead AI innovation.

Resources for AUT staff

To help AUT staff embrace the opportunities AI offers, the AI Hub on the staff intranet has a wealth of resources and training opportunities covering how AI can enhance teaching, accelerate research and improve AUT’s operations.

ACCESS AI TOOLKIT

Back to top