Developing a Personal Framework for Sensible and Ethical AI Use
Alexandra MacKay, Professor, Teaching Stream Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, UTSG
Alexandra MacKay’s activity guides students to create a personal framework for using generative AI responsibly, encouraging them to reflect on their goals, values, and skills while evaluating how AI can support or hinder their academic and career development.
Learning Activity Objectives:
The objectives for this activity (RSM230, Fall 2024) focus on developing students’ ability to engage with Generative AI in a thoughtful and ethical manner. The primary goal is for students to create a personalized framework that guides their use of GenAI in both academic and professional settings. This process is designed to enhance students’ self-awareness by prompting them to reflect deeply on their learning goals, core values, and career aspirations. Students are also expected to identify and evaluate the core competencies essential for achieving their academic and career objectives. A critical component of the activity is the requirement for students to assess the potential benefits and risks associated with using GenAI, particularly in terms of how it may augment their skills or potentially lead to deskilling in certain areas.
Learning Activity Process:
- Students reflect on their short-term and long-term learning goals, core values, and career aspirations.
- They identify core competencies required to achieve these goals and assess their current skill level in each.
- Students analyze how GenAI can augment their competencies or potentially lead to deskilling.
- They create a table (see below) outlining their goals, competencies, current skill levels, plans for AI use, and potential impacts.
- Students establish a timeline for reviewing and revising their personal framework.
- They identify resources for staying informed about ethical AI use and its impact on academic and professional development.
- Regular reflection and adjustment of the framework are encouraged to ensure alignment with evolving goals and AI advancements.

