Exploring AI in Academic Contexts

This is a section where our consultants and research software engineers share their thoughts and explorations in the space of AI in the the context of academic practice. You will find a more personal and philosophical takes on various topics as well as some more narrowly focused technical deep-dives.

The content in this section is not guidance or detailed advice but rather an invitation to explore ideas. Please continue the discussion with us in the channels of our Generative AI Special Interest Group Team.

Exploring AI for Learning through Personas

by Kelly Webb-Davies

In this exploration, Kelly Webb-Davies our AI consultant takes a look at how we can think about the role of generative AI in learning through the lens of different personas.

What are the personas

Many people are worried about the impact of generative AI on learning both because it can be used as a shortcut but also because it is not consistently reliable in the same way we are used to from computers.

But in fact, we have many models of how AI behaves from our interactions with other people that can be useful to help us frame how we use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in our learning.

If you are thinking about using generative AI to help your learning, you can use these personas to help you think about the different ways in which you can integrate it into your learning process.

How to use the personas

You cannot just choose one of these personas and assume that it will explain all aspects of how generative AI tools work for you. You should always keep all of them in mind.

The “Oxford AI Personas” GPT was created for you to interact directly with the personas. It encourages a discussion about responsible use of generative AI through the use of generative AI.

Personas

Note: These personas are not trying to saying about about how AI actually works under the hood. There are many controversies about to what extent Large Language Models that power generative AI tools are similar or different to how people think. These personas are here to help you think about the different roles the tools powered by these models can play in your learning.

The STRANGER

Key lesson: Generative AI can provide interesting starting points, but isn't a citable source. Always verify information through legitimate academic sources before including it in your work.

This persona helps you think about how much you should trust the information you get from generative AI tools. They may or may not be perfectly reliable but you just don’t know ahead of time. Spend time with them but always check their work.

You met someone at a pub who seems very knowledgeable about your field.
They share impressive insights with complete confidence.
But you don’t know their credentials or even where the information comes from.
Would you cite (Pub Stranger, 2025) in your academic work?

The Stranger — Image generated by ChatGPT

The INTERN

Key lesson: Your AI intern can act as a helpful assistant, but you must develop and maintain your critical thinking skills and subject expertise.

The Intern persona is meant to help you think about what sort of assistance you can get from tools like ChatGPT. They can help you with many practical tasks. But you still need to make sure you give them clear instructions and check their work.

AI is like an enthusiastic, always-available intern.
They have many skills like summarising, transcription, scheduling, giving examples, creating visuals.
But they need clear, detailed, specific instructions to work effectively.
Keep in mind, they make mistakes, so you need enough expertise to check and correct their work.

The TUTOR

Key lesson: Use AI to enhance your learning process, not to bypass it.

You can use tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to help you learn new things. But imagine you’re meeting the tutor for the first time. You need to be clear about what you want to learn and how you want to learn it.

AI can help you learn through interactive dialogue and personalised explanations.
It can break down complex ideas, ask you questions, and engage you with discussions, working at your pace.
Ask questions like you would with a new human tutor – be specific about your subject, level, and learning goals.

The TRANSLATOR

Key lesson: AI can help polish your expression, but the core ideas and understanding must be your own.

For many people, learning a new subject is like learning a new language. Generative AI tools can help you translate between the language of your subject and the language you speak right now.

Generative AI acts like a “semantic translator” – changing form while preserving meaning.
It can simplify complex texts, define specialised terms, and summarise dense information.
It can even do this across different modes like text, speech, and images.
AI can help you to communicate academically, but the core ideas and arguments must be your own.

The PEOPLE PLEASER

Key lesson: Don’t let AI flatter you into complacency. Growth comes from challenge.

The People Pleaser persona is here to serve as a reminder that AI tools often aim to be agreeable and supportive. They adapt to your tone and assumptions, which can make them feel encouraging but also less critical than you need. If you only let AI reassure you, it may reinforce your existing biases and prevent growth. To get real value, you need to actively ask it for critique, counterarguments, and challenges.

AI models are usually trained to be helpful and agreeable, so they often tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear.
They’re encouraging and supportive, adapting to your tone and assumptions.
But they can avoid critical feedback and may reinforce your biases.
Make sure you ask AI for critique, counterarguments, and challenges instead of just letting it validate you.