The Role of Generative AI in Software Student CollaborAItion

TL;DR

The paper addresses the challenge of integrating Generative AI into computing education by proposing a framework to analyze AI agents occupying collaboration roles in software engineering education. It outlines existing AI uses, envisions CollaborAItion scenarios for introductory and advanced courses as well as teacher training, and discusses potential benefits and pitfalls. The authors identify critical grand challenges—transparency, power dynamics, identity, context, and AI literacy—and call for future research to shape responsible design and deployment. This work aims to guide educators and tool developers toward leveraging AI-enabled collaboration to create scalable, innovative learning experiences rather than simply substituting human instructors with machines, with implications highlighted by a Dagstuhl study and contemporary funding sources.

Abstract

Collaboration is a crucial part of computing education. The increase in AI capabilities over the last couple of years is bound to profoundly affect all aspects of systems and software engineering, including collaboration. In this position paper, we consider a scenario where AI agents would be able to take on any role in collaborative processes in computing education. We outline these roles, the activities and group dynamics that software development currently include, and discuss if and in what way AI could facilitate these roles and activities. The goal of our work is to envision and critically examine potential futures. We present scenarios suggesting how AI can be integrated into existing collaborations. These are contrasted by design fictions that help demonstrate the new possibilities and challenges for computing education in the AI era.