Project-work Artificial Intelligence Integration Framework (PAIIF): Developing a CDIO-based framework for educational integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) have sparked confusion and concern regarding their impact on education. Beyond the assessment integrity risks that currently draw the most attention, technologies such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini have also been identified as tools that can support learning. Project work, especially when there is no single correct solution, provides a great opportunity for integration, fostering technology knowledge and higher learning standards. However, no AI-integration framework for project-based work is available, resulting in a limited understanding of how AI integration can occur or be maximized. To address this, a collaborative effort of 16 educators from 9 Australian universities has led to the development of a generic AI implementation framework, built upon the CDIO approach. With a focus on engineering education, this framework can be adapted to other project-based learning contexts, where educators can pick and choose the relevant implementation items as needed. This framework is called the Project-work Artificial Intelligence Integration Framework (PAIIF), and its development and structure are outlined here. Initial implementations have shown the effectiveness of promoting reflection and guidance on where and how AI integration can occur.