Recent advances in AI are reshaping computing at speed. Large language models can now generate, explain, test, and refine code from natural-language prompts. These capabilities are changing how software is built — and they must change how computing is taught and learned.
To respond decisively to this shift, the College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS) is revamping its computing education under the banner "Learn with AI". Our aim is twofold: to help students learn more effectively and to prepare them for an AI-enabled workplace where strong fundamentals, sound judgement, and responsible use of tools are essential for sustained professional excellence in computer science and engineering.
Three Guiding Principles
This revamp is guided by three principles.
Each principle reflects a deliberate stance on the relationship between students, AI tools, and the intellectual work that builds mastery.
Human–AI Collaboration
We will treat AI as augmented intelligence and teach students how to use AI tools to maximise their performance as computer scientists and engineers. Learning activities will be redesigned so students practise collaborating with AI tools — including course-specific AI tutors and coding agents — to develop solutions.
Just as importantly, students will be trained to direct, critique, debug, and verify AI-generated outputs.
Used well, AI can support more personalised learning, while deepening understanding of core concepts.
Students Must Own Their Thinking
Powerful AI tools require strong safeguards against shallow learning and over-reliance. AI can help students work faster, but it cannot replace the intellectual work that builds mastery: introspection, careful reasoning, rigorous checking, and deliberate practice.
CCDS will therefore design assessments to ensure students remain accountable for their own understanding.
AI-ON Assessments
Demonstrate competence working with AI tools.
AI-OFF Assessments
Demonstrate competence working without AI tools — most critically.
Meta-Skills for Adaptability
Because the AI landscape will continue to evolve, CCDS will place greater emphasis on meta-skills — especially "learning to learn". Courses will incorporate structured questioning and reflection so students can monitor how they learn, identify gaps, and improve their problem-solving process.
Students will also be expected to declare how AI tools were used and what they contributed.
This supports academic integrity and, more importantly, builds the habit of reflective, responsible tool use.
CCDS is progressively redesigning courses across all undergraduate programmes to embed these Learn-with-AI principles. This shift is necessary and urgent.
We invite students to partner with faculty in shaping this change — by engaging constructively, giving feedback, and adopting the right learning mindset.