Date: 15 Mar 2023 (Wednesday)
Time: 2:30pm – 4:20pm (HK time)
Venue: MWT2, G/F, Meng Wah Complex, Main Campus, HKU
Speakers: Dr. Rachel Lui, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science, HKU

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a postulate about the future, but is already bringing noticeable impacts to our current society. Have you ever wondered how Netflix recommends your best movies? How does Facebook or Instagram show you advertisements in a similar manner? On a larger scale of decision-making and social change, will the AI revolution lead to a reform in our economy or a major disruption? Is it “simply” another Industrial Revolution? This course will start by introducing what AI is, how it works, and then move on to its individual and social impact. We will explore existing or forthcoming applications of AI in different aspects of our lives, as well as in economic and social policy, and reflect on the ethical questions we will need to address critically.

If AI, as some argue, can “think” in a human way, how can we ensure that AI maintains a similar ethical standard? For example, is it ethical if a student uses ChatGPT to write a draft for his or her assignment? Is it ethical if a teacher uses ChatGPT to grade assignments? There are many more ethical issues that we will discuss in the classroom. The pedagogical focus will be the interaction between the teacher and the students.

Dr Rachel Lui was recruited as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Science in 2012. She actively experimented with different teaching tools such as flipped classroom and gamification. Supported by the Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme, she collaborated with colleagues at UCLA to develop teaching materials using a new technology called Learning Glass, which increases and encourages interaction in the classroom.

Rachel has won multiple awards in her teaching career, including the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2022. In 2019, she achieved the status of Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy in recognition of her attaining proficiency in the knowledge and professional values set out by the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education. Her accomplishment sets a great example of excellent teaching and how it can empower students.