The University's approach to AI and new Blackboard courses tools: what it means for you and what to expect

The principles are practical and straightforward. In short, they ask everyone at the University, colleagues and students alike, to use AI tools thoughtfully and for genuine purposes, to be open about when and how AI has contributed to their work, and to remain fully responsible for whatever they submit or produce. Your own thinking, judgement, and learning remain at the centre of your studies; AI can support that, but it cannot replace it.  

If you have questions about AI and your assessments, speak to your module leader, or look at the Guidance for Students on the use of Generative AI.  

AI activities in Blackboard courses: here's what to expect  

Some of your modules this year will include AI features and activities. One is called the AI Conversation tool in Blackboard. This is a structured conversation with an AI that your tutor may set up for a specific learning purpose, such as exploring a topic through questions or practising a real-world scenario.  

Your tutor will explain the purpose of any AI activity in your module. The AI is there to support your thinking, not to do your thinking for you.  

Some tutors may also use an AI tool to help draft general feedback comments when marking your work. Any AI-assisted feedback is always reviewed and approved by your tutor before you see it. The marking, the judgement about the quality of your work, is always done by a person.  

Blackboard will also have an AI Studio (also known as the Blackboard Playground) from the start of the 2026/7 academic year. The AI Studio feature provides a dedicated, institutionally managed space within Blackboard.  

The feature offers access to selected AI models directly inside Blackboard. The AI Studio is designed as an exploratory environment where you can ask questions, generate ideas, and interact with AI directly from within Blackboard.  

Read more on Blackboard’s approach to the use of AI.