ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN OPEN UNIVERSITY ECOSYSTEM CONTEXT

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most prevalent topics in modern science. It is also reflected in the higher education sphere. Implementation of AI in university activities requires prior analysis of spheres where artificial intelligence can be used to provide responsible and smart use of AI. Based on the survey of educational process participants, the authors analysed the level of readiness of respondents to AI utilisation, their apprehension of AI’s role in different spheres of university activities. The results of the survey have shown that most educational process participants either do not use artificial intelligence or use a very limited number of resources. Still the respondents estimated the possible impact of AI on different spheres of university activities as moderate or high. The spheres of open university ecosystem where AI can be used, were singled out and presented as a structural model. Among the spheres of university activities where AI can be implemented there are infrastructure, security, management and administration, research, ratings, sustainable development, learning personalisation, and e-learning. The selection of artificial intelligence tools for each sphere was performed and presented. Challenges of AI implementation are discussed, among which there are data security, privacy, ethical and legal issues, bias of AI, requirements to technical knowledge of university staff and university infrastructure, teachers’ resistance, depersonalization of education, risks of education quality decrease. The advantages of AI implementation in each of the defined spheres are described. The need to document the rules of AI utilization at HEIs is stressed. The results of the research can be used for planning AI implementation in higher education institutions and AI policy formation.