AI in Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way we work, teach, and learn. As a union, it’s our job to make sure that the voice of workers is listened to, and to resist uses of AI that harm staff and students, or undermine the quality of the OU’s teaching.

Our AI Working group is planning a survey to get your input on AI at work, and to develop branch responses – if you would like to help, please get in touch.

On this page:

AI at the Open University

Module teams are increasingly being forced to adopt Category 2 (AI optional) or Category 3 (AI mandatory) classifications for their teaching and learning strategies. These decisions were made top-down, without proper input from the module teams whose teaching is affected, and don’t account for all the climate, labour rights, social and ethical considerations. For more information on the problem see our branch motion from July 2026.

We are seeking an open discussion about the use of AI which reflects differences between disciplines and faculties, and for module teams to have the final say, including freedom to choose Category 1 (AI forbidden) where appropriate.

What are unions doing nationally?

UCU recently created a set of ten principles for the use of AI in Education. Our campaign urges the Open University to abide by these principles. Other UCU resources around AI can be found on the Future of Work site.

More widely, the Trades Unions Congress (TUC) worked with 9 education unions, including UCU, on a project to explore how we can build a powerful movement around the use of AI in education. One of the significant outputs of this process was a joint statement from all the unions calling for educators and workers in the sector to have a voice in the adoption of AI in education.

The TUC have created a range of resources for reps, activists and union members on how to tackle the challenges posed by AI in the workplace.

AI in the news

Not every headline about AI relates directly to higher education. But there are direct risks to wellbeing, psychological safety, and work-related stress, when staff are asked to use (indirectly fund) and teach tools which are increasingly seen as an existential risk and part of a global arms race. Here are some stories that weigh on colleagues’ minds while we are urged to adopt these tools at work:

If you've seen any more news stories about AI relevant to Open University staff, please share them with [email protected] and we'll add them to the list.

Get involved

OU UCU has a Generative AI (GenAI) working group you may be interested in getting involved with. The GenAI working group is a space for members from all staff categories to engage with the impacts of GenAI on our working environment and practices. Wider environmental, diversity and reputational concerns are discussed while reviewing university projects, policies and intentions.  

Anyone who would like to contribute towards providing feedback to both the OU and UCU regarding GenAI-related issues in the workplace is welcome to join. Email [email protected] if you’d like to get involved.