Fighting fund banner

 

Digital transformation

Future of Work in Post-16 Education

29 January 2024

The Future of Work in Post-16 Education project was set up to consider the threats and opportunities of the technology being used in the sector now and in the future, and how UCU should support members and branches to respond. 

We have established a working group of UCU members from all the sectors of the union and all levels of knowledge of the technology to support this work. The terms of reference for the working group is as follows:

Terms of reference for Future of Work in Post-16 Education Working Group

The working group will be made up of up 12 UCU members who respond to a request for expressions of interest. The group should be composed of people from across FE, HE, prison and adult education, covering the different UK nations and ensuring that the different equality groups in UCU are represented and can input via the equality committee. We are looking for users of systems and those concerned about the impacts of such technology to participate in the group, as well as experts in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and those supporting these systems currently. We want the group to be diverse in experience with varying degrees of knowledge and experience.

The working group should:

  1. identify threats and opportunities to UCU members of AI and datafication in the HE and FE sectors, including prison and adult education
  2. consider what data we have collected already, and how we might collect data on the current and future intended uses of AI in colleges and universities
  3. make recommendations to the NEC on what should be in UCU's policy on AI
  4. consider and advise on guidance for branches on negotiating on AI and datafication
  5. agree a description for the role of Data Rep
  6. advise on the content for an AI policy for negotiation with HE and FE employers which takes a rights-based approach to the issues.

The group will seek to meet at least 6 times during 2024, with a view to informing the policy making process of Congress 2024. If it cannot meet this timetable, then recommendations will be considered in time for Congress 2025.

It is crucial that we shape the future of education in a way that works for both staff and students, with technology enabling our work, not acting as a barrier to it.

AI in the workplace

UCU has been involved in the TUC 's AI project for a number of years, and contributed to the following resources which reps and members may find useful:

These resources are not specific to the education sector, but are a useful starting point when considering the issue of AI. Further TUC resources can be found here.

What's happening in your workplace?

If your branch would like to understand what technology is currently being used in your workplace, and the data being retained to feed it, we have developed a model letter to help your branch request the information from your employer.  Although this letter was designed for FE branches to use, it can easily be amended for HE branches to submit.

Education and AI

Education International commissioned a report on the current state of AI in education and considered the benefits and risks. Access the full report, the Unintended Consequences of Artificial Intelligence and Education, and executive summary here.  The report looks at the role of educators and educator trade unionists in ensuring that teaching with AI is aligned with human rights and social justice principles.

Last updated: 12 November 2024