Abstract:

This abstract presents an innovative assessment designed for postgraduate distance-learning Machine Learning students at Atlantic Technological University, Donegal, Ireland. Responding to the accelerating influence of generative AI and the need to safeguard academic integrity, the task blends research depth with a professionally inspired presentation format: a Pecha Kucha. The design simultaneously incorporates generative-AI tools into the assessment while modelling transparent, accountable, and ethical use.

Students select a domain—such as policing, agriculture, military applications, recruitment, or creative industries—and pair it with a non-EU, non-US country from a curated list. This approach pushes students beyond familiar Western examples and encourages engagement with diverse cultural, legal, and regulatory environments. They then examine three interconnected strands:
(1) the machine-learning algorithms used in the chosen domain;
(2) the ethical implications of deploying such systems within that national context; and
(3) the relevant legal frameworks, regulatory gaps, and proposed safeguards.

The assessment’s distinctive character comes from its strict Pecha Kucha structure: twelve slides, thirty seconds each, totalling six minutes. Each slide may include only a title and a single image, meaning that students must think visually, communicate precisely, and avoid reading from scripts. Students may create their images manually or through generative-AI tools, but must submit all prompts used, alongside full scholarly references. This ensures transparency and models responsible engagement with AI, aligning with emerging best practices for assessment in an AI-rich era.

Pecha Kucha, widely adopted by architects, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and project teams, trains speakers to communicate succinctly, structure ideas clearly, and maintain audience engagement through visual storytelling. Its emphasis on pace, clarity, and narrative coherence directly supports transversal skills increasingly valued in the modern workplace: agile thinking, confident communication, multimodal literacy, and the ability to translate technical insight for diverse audiences. For distance-learning students, who often juggle study and professional commitments, the format offers authentic preparation for remote presentations and fast-paced workplace exchanges.

By combining rigorous research with time-bound, image-led delivery, the assessment mirrors the real-world demands placed on technical professionals: synthesising information quickly, articulating insights clearly, and navigating generative AI with integrity. Early observations indicate that the design encourages original thinking, reduces over-reliance on text-heavy slides, and foregrounds the student’s own voice.

This abstract outlines the rationale, structure, outcomes, and wider implications of this novel assessment design, offering guidance for educators seeking to protect assessment integrity while purposefully integrating generative AI into learning.

Keywords:

Pecha Kucha, Generative AI, Assessment Integrity, Presentations, Transversal Skills.