Research Project Proposal

As mentioned in my previous blog post, I have chosen to explore the controversial topic of AI technologies and its impact on BCM212 student experience in my research project.

The following project proposal will provide:

1. An overview of my intended topic focus researching student experience at UOW
2. Why I think it’s timely, relevant and achievable
3. My statement of position in researching this topic

Is it timely?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has generated [a lot of] attention in recent months (Science Daily 2022). With new technologies emerging constantly, the current capabilities and future possibilities of AI has caused widespread discourse across the globe.

For me personally, the recent advancements in AI technologies has caused a significant shift in my attitude towards my future as a student in a creative industry.

Is it relevant?

After engaging with my peers, I have learned I am not alone in these anxieties. Based on my preliminary research, I have found that students in my class also see the emergence of AI technologies as a threat to their future job prospects. They have fears that AI may be able to automate human tasks they wished to pursue professionally – such as creating music, art, and written content. On the other hand, I also had the opportunity to speak with other BCM212 students who believe AI technologies may provide an opportunity to enhance their creativity.

As a student pursuing a Bachelor of Communication and Media (BCM), I approach my research on this topic from a personal perspective. Having spent years aspiring to work in a creative industry, I have dedicated a significant amount of time to studying and gaining experience in various fields such as radio presenting, writing, and video production. However, with the emergence of AI technologies, I fear that my efforts may have been in vain.

Taking a rational approach, I acknowledge that this is not a truth, but rather a feeling I have. My research will focus on these feelings, not on whether AI is or isn’t a threat, and will explore the extent to which BCM212 students share these emotions in regard to their career ambitions.

Is it achievable?

As I mentioned, my research project will aim to analyse the feelings of BCM students in regards to AI technologies. I’ll ask questions to determine whether they feel threatened or empowered by the emergence of these technologies in relation to their individual career ambitions (or if they’re impartial to this topic). To do so, I will collect data through the use of interviews, surveys and focus groups as my primary research methodologies.

To position myself as a researcher, my name is Alice Ryan, I am 20 years-old and in my second year at UOW studying a Bachelor of Communication and Media. I have chosen to major in Digital and Social Media, as well as minor in Graphic Design. I am a white Australian and a native English speaker, born and raised in Griffith, NSW. In 2022, I moved to Wollongong to pursue tertiary education. Both of my parents attended the Australian National University; my mother works as a school counsellor, and my father works as an irrigation designer.

Since I was young, my career ambitions have always centred around media and creative industries, such as journalism, graphic design, and social media management. I do not have any experience or interest in coding or other specialties pertaining to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The media’s coverage of AI being predicted to replace creative jobs, combined with my lack of technological understanding about AI, has caused me a lot of anxiety. I question whether my career ambitions are realistic in this constantly evolving world.

I acknowledge that bias exists within my research, and therefore, I aim to be reflexive and consider the perspectives of the individuals from whom I collect data to the best of my ability. I will interview a broad range of BCM students across different majors with varying career ambitions, and will ask appropriate questions to make my research as bias-free as I can.

Given the unsettled environment surrounding Universities and student usage of AI technologies (ethical issues), my research’s outcomes may provide UOW with valuable data relating to BCM student experience that has the potential to inform future policy and curriculum design.

References

• Daffner, B 2023, Why Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be the technology of 2023 – A Look at its Past, Present and Future, More Than Digital.

• Kalpokiene, J & Kalpokas, I 2023, ‘Creative encounters of a posthuman kind – anthropocentric law, artificial intelligence, and art’, Technology in Society, vol. 72, p. 102197.

• Mckie, IAS & Narayan, B 2019, ‘Enhancing the Academic Library Experience with Chatbots: An Exploration of Research and Implications for Practice’, Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, vol. 68, no. 3, pp. 268–277.

• Pavlik, JV 2023, ‘Collaborating With ChatGPT: Considering the Implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Journalism and Media Education’, Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, vol. 78, no. 1, p. 107769582211495.

• Science Daily 2021, Artificial Intelligence News, ScienceDaily.

• The Whitehouse 2022, THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE FUTURE OF WORKFORCES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 5 December.

• University of Wollongong 2023, The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education, L&T Hub, viewed 20 March 2023, <https://ltc.uow.edu.au/hub/page/AI-overview-impact>.

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I study and live, the Wadi Wadi people of the Dharawal nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present.