Information on generative AI
Information on generative AI
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GKI)
For several years now, a number of large language models have been freely available at no cost, and generative AI poses major challenges for society and higher education institutions. Chatbots are capable of using artificial intelligence to draw on a vast pool of data to provide answers to questions (also known as prompts ), some of which are now indistinguishable from human responses. The speed and accuracy of these responses are often astonishing; however, the answers are not always error-free or up to date, as not all models can access the internet and are therefore sometimes based on outdated sources
When using them, you should also always bear in mind that generative AI is not a search engine, but generates text based on probabilities derived from the available training data. As all data is generally treated as equally valid (e.g. an anonymous forum post is considered equivalent to a scientifically sound publication), societal biases may be reproduced or completely incorrect statements may be produced.
Particular caution is also required when entering personal data and copyright-protected material. Please therefore always consult the university pages listed below before using generative AI and, wherever possible, use the generative AI from the Academic Cloud (ChatAI, see below). There, the data you enter is processed solely on GWDG servers and is not used for training purposes.
We endeavour to provide you with the most up-to-date information on this rapidly evolving topic, but would like to point out that, as a user, you bear full responsibility for your input and for the lawful and responsible use of generative AI.
You can also find further information in our podcast episode on this topic.
Recommendations of the University of Oldenburg on the use of generative artificial intelligence for studying and teaching
The Vice President for Academic Affairs, Teaching and International Affairs has developed recommendations for dealing with generative artificial intelligence (GKI) in studying and teaching in coordination with the Department for Study Affairs and the extended group of deans of studies.
You can find the current version of this orientation framework here.
Our range of courses
Twice a year, we offer an introductory course on the use of generative AI in teaching. Further sessions and advanced courses will follow as required. Interested lecturers from School VI can register with the Medical Education Department for the next course on 2 December 2026 .
Chat-AI service of the GWDG via the Academic Cloud
The AcademicCloud is a service provided by the Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen (GWDG), which you can use via a federated login with your university account. The University of Oldenburg has concluded corresponding contracts with the GWDG, whose applicable data protection information can be found here. In addition to other digital applications, the GWDG offers its own ChatGPT service, which runs on its own hardware. On the website, all users with an AcademicCloud account can chat with a generative AI and receive support with their work.
Special emphasis was placed on data protection during the design phase. In order to protect users' enquiries, entries and responses are only saved locally by the user within a session. When the website is closed, all entries and responses are deleted. Only the number of enquiries per user is recorded in order to determine the demand for this new service. If you have any questions or re-registering students, please contact
Creation of multiple choice questions with the help of AI
The creation of multiple choicequestions(MCQs) is time-consuming and the choice of clearly incorrect distractors is often particularly difficult. Text-generating AIs can help with the design of questions and provide an initial starting point for iterative further development. When using it, please always bear in mind that AI can output plausible-sounding but technically completely incorrect texts, and the questions must be carefully checked and adapted before being passed on to students.
It is a good idea to use a template for the prompt to create the MCQ, which then only needs to be filled in with the corresponding clinical picture and further specifications regarding the level of difficulty and format. The following two publications provide examples of such sample prompts:
1) Kiyak YS. A ChatGPT prompt for writing case-based multiple-choice questions. RevEspEduMed 2023, 3: 98-103; doi: 10.6018/edumed.587451
2) Zuckerman M, Flood R, Tan RJB, Kelp N, Ecker DJ, Menke J, Lockspeiser T. ChatGPT for assessment writing. Med Teach. 2023 Nov;45(11):1224-1227. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2023.2249239. Epub 2023 Oct 16. PMID: 37789636.
As a first step, you can simply copy the template and enter it into ChatAI in the Academic Cloud . You can then use the draft generated by the AI to continue working on your question and adapt the template for your purposes by making repeated adjustments in interaction with the large language model.
Alternatively, you can use the case-based MCQ generator based on ChatGPT from OpenAI, which directly generates cases based on the sample prompts cited above. Please note, however, that unlike the service in the Academic Cloud, this is an AI that uses the data you enter for training purposes.
If you have any questions, please contact us directly.
Translated sample prompt for MCQ from Kiyak et al., 2023:
You are developing a database of questions for medical exams with the focus topic [PLEASE INSERT TOPIC]. Please generate a high quality single best answer-multiple choice question. Follow the principles for creating multiple-choice items in medical education.
Create the question using the following scheme:
Case description
(Formulate as a coherent narrative paragraph without listing the parts individually).
Patient data (gender/age)
Leading symptom / current complaint
Relevant medical history
Clinical examination findings
Results of diagnostic tests (optional)
Question
[Insert relevant information from the case described above without anticipating the answer]
Note: The question should ask for the best answer option - not "true" or "false".
Answer options
[Insert plausible answer option]
[Insert plausible answer option]
[Insert plausible answer option]
[Insert plausible answer option]
[Insert plausible answer option]
Explanation
Identify and explain the correct answer.
Explain why this is the most appropriate answer according to evidence-based guidelines or expert consensus.
Briefly explain why the other answer options are less correct or incorrect.
Level of difficulty
[PLEASE INSERT LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY (E.G. "EASY", "DIFFICULT")]
Image-generating AI
In addition to various text-generating large language models, the Academic Cloud also offers a service for creating images, ImageAI. You can find ImageAI in the Academic Cloud under "Services" after you have logged in via the federated login with your university login. Images that you have created with the help of AI are not subject to copyright, so you can use them without restriction for your events and teaching materials. Please note, however, that image-generating AIs in particular often reproduce prejudices that are contained in the training data. For example, even with gender-neutral English input, male persons in management positions may be depicted more frequently or photos with several persons may depict less diverse groups. You can avoid this by giving instructions that are as precise as possible.
In addition, prompting, i.e. your input to the AI, works slightly differently when creating images than when creating texts.
Here are some basic tips:
1. you will get better results if you create your input in English.
2. do not use negations (e.g. image of a doctor without a stethoscope). These are often not related to the following word by imaging AIs and the unwanted element is then displayed in any case.
3. Formulate the prompt as briefly and precisely as possible. Imaging AIs process a significantly smaller amount of text than large language models and elements that occur later in the text may therefore not be mapped.
4. Use so-called tokens that help the AI to assign terms in your query and not map them as individual elements. For example, use the following formula and replace the terms in the square brackets with your details:
[Scene and/or Subject],
[Details],
in the style of [Style or Artist].
[Color] colour,
[Lighting] light.
[Image Type]
Helpful documents for teachers
If you wish to raise awareness amongst students in your courses about the responsible and safe use of generative AI, you will find templates for guidance documents and legal principles at the following links:
1. KIKO – the GKI guidance document configurator from the UOL: https://uol.de/strategie-lehre/ki/kiko_intranet
2. Legal aspects of using AI in study, teaching and assessment by Dr Janine Horn, ELAN e.V.: https://www.hs-osnabrueck.de/fileadmin/HSOS/Homepages/eLCC/KI-Monat/AI_Act_Horn.pdf
3. ‘Rules For Tools’ guide for courses by Prof. Christian Spannagel: https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/fbz/zentren/hd/projekte/hessenhub/ki/ki_tabs/rulesfortools_prof-spannagel.pdf
4. Helpful prompts for teaching in the open prompt catalogue of the Higher Education Forum on Digitalisation and the AI campus: https://coda.io/@kic/prompt-katalog
5. Documentation of the Higher Education Didactics lunchtime meetings on the topic of AI: https://uol.de/lehre/hochschuldidaktik/digitale-lehre/mittagstreffen
Further information
The Souver@n and participate@UOL projects provide up-to-date information and short videos on the topic of generative AI in study and teaching at the UOL. A summary of the content can be found here: https://uol.de/strategie-lehre/ki
The Hochschulforum Digitalisierung provides an extensive, curated collection of links on the topic of ChatGPT in a higher education context, which is continuously updated. Here you will find both the most important publications on the subject and experience reports and blog posts on the topic of AI in higher education teaching.