A unique event happened at Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University: an inter-university methodological round table titled "Artificial Intelligence in Education: Challenges and Prospects." The event was organized by ZSMPhU in collaboration with Zaporizhzhia National University and Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic.

 

For the first time, this methodological event, initiated by the ZSMPhU Rectorate, brought together speakers from leading universities in the region. Participants shared their perspectives on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in our lives, particularly in the professional activities of academic and scientific staff in higher education institutions (HEIs).

 

The round table was held in a hybrid format: in-person sessions were accompanied by a live online broadcast via the MS Teams platform. In such a way, educators from 11 higher education institutions in the Zaporizhzhia region and beyond could join the event. Among the participants were representatives from Poltava State Agrarian University, Kharkiv State Biotechnological University, Tavria State Agrotechnological University named after Dmytro Motornyi, Berdiansk State Pedagogical University, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University, and other institutions.

 

The topic of using AI services in professional activities sparked great interest among educators, attracting in total over 400 participants in total, of whom 144 were present in the audience, and 260 joined the discussion via 

 

Opening the session, ZSMPhU Rector Professor Yurii Kolesnyk emphasized the importance of the round table topic and the necessity of joint efforts in researching AI's impact on our lives and sharing experiences of its practical application in academia. He noted that while AI is one of humanity's greatest achievements and a universal assistant, it cannot fully replace human intelligence. Therefore, the practical mastery of its mechanisms and its application in the field of education and science should consolidate the experience of universities of various directions.

 

Advisor to the rector and long-time head of ZNU Mykola Frolov, in his welcoming speech, also agreed with the idea of the need to unite the efforts of educators from among leading institutions in the region. He added that the discussions initiated at this event should lead to further partnerships.

 

The speakers presented to all participants their vision of the growing role of artificial intelligence in our lives, particularly in the professional activities of scientific and pedagogical workers of higher- education institutions.

 

Professor Iryna Utiuzh, Head of the Department of Social Sciences, focused on the challenge of developing exponential thinking in medical education, with AI serving as a key tool. Professor Halyna Shylo, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Director of the ZNU AI Center, shared ideas on implementing AI technologies in science and education. Meanwhile, Ruslan Kulykovskyi, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Strategic Development at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, explored the use of AI in designing, creating, and implementing professional standards.

 

Rector's Assistant Natalia Pidkovych presented an overview of AI tools for scientific authors. Associate Professor Zhanna Rahrina shared techniques for developing interactive lessons, while Associate Professor Alla Oleksiienko discussed the use of AI for mastering professional terminology.

 

Professor Bohdan Burlaka shared the use of large language models to create virtual assistants for student learning. Associate Professor Viktor Ryzhenko spoke about how educators can utilize ChatGPT for teaching purposes.

 

The round table became a platform for experience-sharing and a foundation for future discussions and collaborations.