On the 21st of July, Imperial College London welcomed over 35 participants from 26 universities across the UK for a one-day workshop exploring the role of Generative AI (GenAI) in chemistry education.
The event brought together educators and researchers to share ideas, practical experiences, and challenges related to integrating GenAI into undergraduate teaching and assessment. From thought-provoking presentations to hands-on demonstrations, there was a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day as attendees connected over shared interests and fresh perspectives.
We were especially honoured to be joined by Professor Peter Haynes, recently appointed Provost and Deputy President of Imperial, who delivered the keynote address. His talk reflected on the broader landscape of education and the transformative potential of AI across disciplines.
In the morning, Teaching Fellows from Imperial’s Department of Chemistry led a live demonstration and workshop showcasing how undergraduate students are guided to use GenAI to code a UV-Vis spectrometer for identifying and categorising plastics. This hands-on project has received enthusiastic feedback from students, who find it a compelling and engaging way to apply AI in real-world scientific contexts.
The afternoon featured two themed talk sessions focusing on the use of GenAI in coding and assessment. These sessions sparked lively discussions around both the opportunities and complexities of AI’s role into higher education. The day concluded with small group reflections, followed by informal networking and continued conversations over drinks at the Chemical Kitchen.
We were delighted to receive very positive feedback, with the vast majority of attendees saying they would recommend the workshop to others. Many cited the chance to exchange knowledge and connect with peers as a major highlight.
Whether participants were already working with GenAI or just beginning to explore its possibilities, the workshop offered something for everyone. It was clear that this is a topic people are eager to keep discussing.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the day such a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation as part of the growing AIchemy Hub community.