Sponsored Childcare: a game-changing initiative at SEFI 2024

Published:19.12.24 — During the 2024 SEFI Annual Conference hosted by EPFL on our Lausanne campus in early September, a series of new initiatives were introduced by the organizing committee to reinforce diversity, equality and inclusion. Of these, the sponsored childcare service was a game-changer for the parents who were able to attend the event worry-free.

Responsible Software: A new course to develop ethical sensitivity

Published:19.12.24 — This autumn, a new course to develop ethical sensitivity has been added to the IC curriculum. Entitled “Responsible Software”, it provides Bachelor students in Computer Science and Communication Systems with the strategies and methods they need to think critically about the societal and environmental impact of the digital tools they develop.

Questioning our relationship with technology through aesthetics

Published:19.12.24 — Léa Pereyre, an artist trained in Industrial Design at ECAL, joined MOBOTS two years ago with the aim of developing a new approach to educational robotics based on aesthetics. In this interview, she reflects on a journey that weaves through scientific labs, workshops and exhibition venues, exploring our digitized society in a poetic and moving way.

At EPFL, a desire to better master AI for education

Published:17.12.24 — In 2024, two surveys were conducted at EPFL to learn more about the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) software in education and studies. Among teachers, 61.5% of respondents use GAI, compared to 79% among students. While GAI is appreciated, there is also a need to strengthen skills to use it more efficiently in an educational context.

Could ChatGPT get an engineering degree?

Published:29.11.24 — EPFL research investigating the potential impact on education of AI assistants has found that systems like GPT-4 can answer up to 85% of university assessment questions correctly.

Students seem to prefer teacher feedback over AI feedback

Published:17.09.24 — A new EPFL paper has found that students are cautious towards AI feedback, highlighting the complexity of integrating it into educational feedback systems.

“We should always have a human approach to AI”

Published:05.09.24 — Vinitra Swamy and Paola Mejia-Domenzain are the first two graduating PhDs of EPFL’s Machine Learning for Education Laboratory (ML4ED). They are aiming to bring AI-powered upskilling to adult learners.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion at the 2024 SEFI Annual Conference

Published:26.08.24 — Organizing an academic conference that is representative of the diversity of the community it serves contributes to making it a richer experience and fostering more innovative solutions. This is what drove the organizing committee of the upcoming annual conference of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI) to create a commission dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The Archimedean Oath highlighted at SEFI 2024 Conference

Published:26.08.24 — In the early 1990s, a professional ethics oath for engineers emerged at EPFL. This entirely student-led initiative will be highlighted at the annual SEFI conference held in September at EPFL.