Generative AI

The Power of AI in Modern Content Planning: A Case Study

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Now for a change of pace from my usual articles on this site. Besides managing educational product development at Cambridge, I’m a regular blogger. A few years back, I started an education-focused website with colleagues, providing news and opinion about the South African education scene. It’s been plodding along, growing its user base steadily. But this was before I jumped into learning all I could about Generative AI, which I have used successfully to increase the monthly users by over 100,000.  

The internet is bustling, every corner filled with information vying for our attention. Businesses face the daunting task of ensuring their content isn’t just another drop in this vast ocean. But it’s also full of data, which you can use to your advantage. As audiences evolve, so must the strategies to engage them, and simply keeping pace isn’t enough. 

Visitor Statistics Showing A Huge Increase

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AI Tools for Publishing, Guest Lecture, University of Witwatersrand

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I recently presented a guest lecture for postgraduate students on how artificial intelligence is changing educational publishing.

Here’s the lecture introduction by Laetitia Cassells, Head of Division:

While the legal debates around copyright continue in the ongoing adaptation to AI, especially significant in South Africa as part of larger copyright and access debates, we can lose sight of the empowerment possible with technological advances – if properly disseminated and utilized. You can review the recent webinar on AI and the Law from the Mandela Institute at Wits here for more information: https://youtu.be/zDJLRbV8HPw 

This Wednesday Cambridge University Press and Assessment joins us again on the Wits Publishing program, when we host Niall McNulty, currently a publishing manager at their Cape Town office. 

Niall has extended his interest and background as a digital publisher into the AI revolution through engaging in generative content tools, from additional support for authors developing materials to apply assessment, to assisting content producers with prompt generation guidelines. 

When AI is discussed it is often discussed as a challenge to the traditional operation of publishers like CUP&A and others – Niall reminds us of the most significant contributions an AI can provide publishers, and how to empower yourself as a content intermediary by using AI as support. 

Here’s the lecture:

Exploring Teachers’ Perspectives on AI in the Classroom

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors, and education is no exception. As part of my ongoing attempt to understand the use of AI in education, I surveyed teachers* to gauge their perspectives on the potential impact of AI on education and their teaching practices. The survey consisted of four questions, including both quantitative and qualitative elements, designed to explore teachers’ current usage of AI, perceived benefits, concerns, and support needs for integrating AI into their classrooms. 

Question 1: On a scale of 1 to 5, how optimistic are you about AI’s potential impact on education and your teaching practices? 

(one being not optimistic at all, and five being very optimistic)

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