BUP Teachers' Day 2025
There are information occasions and education sessions about the benefits of Artificial Intelligence, how to write the most optimal prompts and ask the best questions to Chat GPT or other similar chatbots. However, less is explored on AI through the lens of sustainability. How does AI relate to ongoing debates about infrastructure, the environment, and ethics? What opportunities and challenges does AI present in the fields of education, teaching, and learning? The aim of the 2025 BUP Techers’ Day was to discuss a current theme from a different angle. The theme was 'Ethical, Educational, and Sustainable Approaches to AI'.
The program combined theoretical insights with discussions and exercises. Martin Gustafsson, Professor in Philosophy at Åbo Akademi University, started with emphasis on an ethical viewpoint. The participants were able to discuss in smaller groups, followed by a general discussion. The second part of the workshop was led by Tomás Lehecka, University lecturer in Swedish and General linguistics, also from Åbo Akademi University. Tomás focused on AI in teaching and put the potential benefits on the front line. Also, here the participants had time to reflect in smaller groups before the final discussion.
The workshop generated a huge interest, and the list of registrations was long. In reality, the participants were about 55 from various countries and BUP participating universities.
Print screens from the event. Pictured from the left are Martin Gustafsson and Tomás Lehecka.
Evaluation of the event
About half of the participants filled in the response survey, and the result was very positive.
Some examples of this are the following:
On the question 'I found the overall content of the meeting relevant', the result was an average 4.8/5.
The participants felt like they learned something new, giving this point a rating of 4,5/5.
The meeting was inspirational, the participants gave it a 4.8/5 rating for this aspect.
Quotes from the evaluation
“Thank you for organising such a useful meeting!”
“Very good for me, new ideas.”
Potential improvements
The participants suggested that a certificate of attendance could be issued, as well as sharing a recording of the workshop.
Organiser voice - Cecilia Lundberg
“.“
Participant evaluations
- The participants praised the event, giving it a 4.8/5 overall rating.
- Regarding whether the workshop was useful for their work, the participants gave it a 4.5/5 rating.
- On the question of whether the mix of theory and practical examples was appropriate for the objectives of the workshop, the participants gave a rating of 4.7/5.
Voices of participants
Iryna Kriba - Participant from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
Before attending, I expected to learn about both positive and negative outcomes of using AI as the topic was very much related to my current investigation of the role the AI plays in the teaching and learning process.
The best parts were about the correlation between AI literacy and critical thinking, as well as those referring to academic integrity and ethical considerations when using AI.
I will bring with me how to incorporate AI into the teaching process most effectively and without compromising on the development of students' creativity and critical thinking as well as reach a reasonable balance in using AI so that the process of teaching and learning should always be human-driven.
