Denise Whitelock

Professor Denise Whitelock is the Artificial Intelligence Lead at the Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, where she previously served over six years as Director. She is a Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning with more than 25 years’ experience in applying Artificial Intelligence to design, research, and evaluate online and computer-based learning in higher education.
Her research includes leading the SafeSea project with Oxford University, which provided automated feedback on students’ essay drafts to complement tutor support. She currently leads the UK’s contribution to two major European projects: ADMIT, exploring the educational and ethical conditions for using generative AI and large language models in higher education, and Every1, enabling broad stakeholder engagement in the digital energy market.
Internationally recognised, she has held visiting Chairs in Barcelona, Dubai, and Canada, and is Editor of Open Learning. She also serves as Vice President Research for EDEN Digital Learning Europe.

The New Role of teachers and Students in the Age of AI: Practices, Reflections and Competencies.
The use of Artificial Intelligence to support learning is not new and its aim has to been to produce personalised learning systems which in the 1980s took the form of intelligent tutoring systems. This presentation provides insight into a number of projects aimed to support student success and pertinent teacher feedback, including those from my own AI research such as Open Essayist, which could summarise and provide feedback on draft essays, before the arrival of generative AI burst into the educational landscape.

Furthermore, the presentation will discuss the Opportunities and Challenges for Learning, together with a Vision for AI and future competencies.