Current picture of AI in teaching and learning at ETH Zurich

Key results:
The number of ETH lecturers who completed the survey was 773 (27%). AI tools used most often by teaching staff included iterature search tools, Translation tools, large language models such as Chat GPT. The tools they were least familiar with were presentation and image generation tools.

A picture of AI use by lecturers at ETH Zurich
When asked what AI use they allow or ask from students in their courses, they were most likely to suggest AI could be used during class, however, were less likely to endorse it’s use for demonstrating student competence and significantly less likely to approve of its use during exams. Lecturers themselves are only using AI conservatively during their own teaching activities. Most say they don’t use it at all for lectures (64%), and even less (88%) in exercises, practicals and assessments/exams. Those who do use it, it is mainly in teaching preparation tasks. During and after class activities remain largely untouched by AI support. Only 7% of all participants said, they had revised their learning objectives considering the new possibilities that AI offers in their subject-specific context.

We interpret these results to mean that teaching staff are starting to reconsider the competencies they expect students to reach in light of AI, however they appear hesitant to use AI to assist them in their teaching duties and have questions in this regard, largely due to missing guidelines and didactic training on how to do so.

When asked what support is needed and which questions teaching staff have with regards to AI, the results could be grouped into legal, technical, didactical, organisational, or other needs. Teaching staff are especially asking for guidance on how AI is allowed to be used and how best to use it for teaching and learning purposes. They want to know which tools they can safely and ethically use and to which they have access via ETH license agreements. In addition, they are interested in catching AI generated work submitted by students.

Next steps to support teaching staff
The Unit for Teaching and Learning is currently working closely with Rector Prof. Dr. Günther Dissertori, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Jan Vermant, the ETHZ legal team and Dr. Gerd Kortemeyer of both the rectorate and the ETHZ AI Center** to craft a clear set of principles that describe an overall ETHZ position on AI in teaching and learning. Following the approval of these guidelines a new website will be published on the UTL website that builds on this statement with information on the available tools, legal and ethical guidance, resources for using AI in teaching and learning, and information on current projects.

In the meantime, UTL a new email address has been created to help answer important questions and provide advice specific to the use of AI in teaching and learning: .

It is fair to say that in some ways, everything has changed, and teaching staff are encouraged to reexamine their own expectations of themselves, their area of expertise and of students in a new world that embraces AI. They should also explore the potential of AI for teaching and learning. On the other hand, nothing has changed. Teaching staff are still responsible for keeping up with changes in their subject, setting expectations in their courses, communicating these to students, all in line with existing ETH Zurich rules and regulations. Above all, teaching staff are still responsible for generating conducive learning environments and well-organised learning experiences. The staff at UTL and others at ETH (departmental Educational Developers) are developing the information, education, and training resources to support staff to reach these goals.

*The previous LET (Educational Development and Technology unit) has been merged with the Strategic Initiatives unit and been renamed the Unit for Teaching and Learning (UTL) or Abteilung für Lehre und Lernen.

** The AI Center is a research entity established to foster AI related science but does not provide support to teaching staff.