Are university degrees on the verge of being devalued, now students have easy access to AI?
Lecturers must be in despair, receiving work which is clearly dependent upon the creative skills of AI, yet is handed in by students as evidence of their own work.
It won’t be too difficult for students to tweak, doctor and disguise AI output, thus throwing essay markers off the scent of its true origins.
How can any academic distinguish between original student research and AI compromised compositions?
The development of AI, and its use in course work, may force university courses back to the past. A time when there was a total reliance upon three hour written exams.
Only in this way will tutors be sure that what appears on the page is a true reflection of the research and knowledge of the student.
Original research may have to be confined to PhDs, treatises and theses, owing to the fewer numbers involved in such study.
This will allow deeper scrutiny of sources employed, thus ensuring such work isn’t compromised or contaminated in its integrity.
AI could well turn out to be an academic Pandora's Box. (Or, to be more precise, a jar.)
Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs.
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Daffodils are as harmful as Japanese Knotweed
Harris is wrong: Johnson is a bigger threat to the UK than Corbyn
AI Harry?
Bring it on PRINCE Harry is the gift that keeps on giving.
A mixture of regal pomposity and cluelessness, he’s always grasping at greatness then falling short.
His latest exploit was presenting a lecture about AI, only for his speech to be cut short when his teleprompter cut out.
Perhaps he should have a teleprompter (one that doesn’t inconveniently break down) installed in his head to make sure that he is always fully informed, and says the right thing at the right time.
I’m not a huge fan of AI, and must admit that I dread what it means for the future of humanity.
However, an AI version of Prince Harry would definitely be an upgrade on the flesh and blood version that is currently desperately looking for a role for itself in public life.
Bring it on, I say.
Andrew Martin, Edinburgh.
Christianity: a true calling
It's sad but true that much recent public discourse around ‘community cohesion’, especially within the Holyrood Chamber, is painfully lacking in nuance.
One term finding increasing usage, often unhelpfully, is ‘Christian nationalism’.
Sometimes the phrase is used to invalidate Christians taking faith into public life, with certain beliefs labelled as ‘Christian nationalism’ when they are simply standard Christian teaching.
For example, Christians long to see others following Jesus, but by this they mean the Jesus of history, not a cultural identity marker. Similarly, Christians wish to see faith influence politics. It’s often suggested that as Scotland is ‘secular’, faith (usually Christian faith) should be kept at arm’s length.
Yet secularism is no more neutral a creed than any other worldview, religious or otherwise. Christians in Scotland have spoken out for the marginalised and oppressed in the knowledge that God cares deeply about injustice and the downtrodden.
This can range from critiquing Scotland’s extremely liberal abortion laws to advocating for women trapped in sexual exploitation. It will certainly mean challenging the powerful so that the vulnerable are protected.
Where so-called ‘Christian nationalism’ errs is in conflating nation and faith into a single identity. Where this occurs it becomes easy to view those of different nationalities with suspicion. This can never be part of the kingdom of God, because Jesus is king over the whole earth and has created all people in His image.
Above all, Christians know that our earthly citizenship is subordinate to our citizenship of God’s heavenly kingdom, and that our calling is to love God and neighbour in a way that glorifies Jesus above any nation.
Michael Veitch, Scotland Policy Officer, CARE, Glasgow.
Police: Not dressed to impress
I completely agree with Neil Stewart (Letters, September 23) about the standard of policing and uniforms.
He neglected to mention unkempt hair, tattoos, and hands in pockets, which no longer appear to be optional extras.
Gregor McKenzie, East Kilbride.
Planning: simple is best
I am not surprised at CBI Scotland's frustration at planning delays to development in Scotland (“Planning delays are ‘holding back’ the economy”, The Herald, September 21).
I started my career in planning (in England) in 1975: no computers or word processors. Golf ball typewriters were the height of technology in the typing pool. Every planning application was listed on the agenda for the monthly planning committee.
My chief expected that most would be able to have a recommended decision. When I left that authority in 1989, I personally dealt with 450 applications, ranging from porches to supermarkets, over a twelve month period.
Roll forward to 2026, my last employer, Argyll & Bute Council, has over 90% of applications delegated to officers. However, planners produce nine page reports for modest householder applications, addressing a myriad of vague policies in the 150 page Local Development Plan.
Little wonder that planners struggle to deliver timeous decisions.
It's not necessarily more resources that are required but simpler, clearer policies and procedures.
David Eaglesham (former MRTPI), Argyll & Bute.
More lame lingo
Brian Chrystal's logical dilemma (Letters, September 23) and Keith Swinley's references to the absurdity of management speak and buzzwords (Letters, September 23) demonstrate that they are at least bringing their talents to the table.
Let's double down on this.
David Miller, Milngavie.
Flying: the plane truth
Duncan Sooman (Letters, September 23) makes a valid point about why was it necessary for John Swinney to use expensive scheduled flights to travel to and from the World Cup. (Why did he have to go in the first place?)
However, if we accept that his presence at the football was essential in improving Scotland's prospects, and life here in general, the question remains as to why he and his hangers on had to travel in business class.
When the American businessman, Victor Kiam, bought the Remington Company about forty years ago, he immediately stopped its executives flying business class, pointing out that the back of the plane arrived at the same time as the front of the plane.
It would appear that John Swinney does not understand this simple truth.
Peter Wylie, Paisley.
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