A plan for a joint study into the impacts of AI on professional competencies of IT professionals and implications for computing students.

Clear, Tony; Cajander, Åsa; Clear, Alison; Mcdermott, Roger; Bergqvist, Andreas; Daniels, Mats; Divitini, Monica; Forshaw, Matthew; Humble, Niklas; Kasinidou, Maria; Kleanthous, Styliani; Kultur, Can; Parvini, Ghazaleh; Polash, Mohammad; Zhu, Tingting

Abstract

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to make its presence felt in transforming workplaces around the world, and the Information Technology industry in particular, it is essential to understand its impact on the work practices of IT professionals, and the implications for computing students and curricula. This research project builds on work initiated jointly, in Sweden, New Zealand and Scotland, investigating concerns about the increasing impacts of Artificial Intelligence in IT Sector workplaces for employee work engagement and the implications for tertiary study, assessment and curricula in computing. "Work engagement", has been defined as the positive inner state where employees are fully present and engaged in their work, and is closely linked to motivation, learning, productivity, and accountability. Within the context of (Generative) AI at work, IT professionals have been noted as early adopters of AI. Their involvement in implementing and utilising AI technologies can provide valuable insights into the interplay between AI and work engagement. The implications for students are significant as future IT professionals, who must acquire and enhance competencies to adapt and thrive in digital workplaces.

Citation

CLEAR, T., CAJANDER, A., CLEAR, A., MCDERMOTT, R., BERGQVIST, A., DANIELS, M., DIVITINI, M., FORSHAW, M., HUMBLE, N., KASINIDOU, M., KLEANTHOUS, S., KULTUR, C., PARVINI, G., POLASH, M. and ZHU, T. 2024. A plan for a joint study into the impacts of AI on professional competencies of IT professionals and implications for computing students. In Monga, M., Lonati, V. Barendsen, E. et al. (eds.) ITiCSE 2024: innovation and technology in computer science education: proceedings of the 29th Innovation and technology in computer science education 2024 (ITiCSE 2024), 8-10 July 2024, Milan, Italy. New York: ACM [online], volume 2, pages 757-758. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3649405.3659527

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 29th Innovation and technology in computer science education 2024 (ITiCSE 2024)
• Start Date: Jul 8, 2024
• End Date: Jul 10, 2024
• Acceptance Date: Mar 4, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 8, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 30, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 30, 2024
• Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Pages: 757-758
• Book Title: ITiCSE 2024: innovation and technology in computer science education
• ISBN: 9798400706035
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3649405.3659527
• Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Generative AI; Large language models; IT profession; Computing competencies; Computing curricula
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2403879