Trade body TICA has issued a warning over AI-generated online training courses, which could contain non-UK specific or outdated content
Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has warned of the risks of online training courses containing inaccurate AI-generated content, which could be outdated or not applicable in the UK.
Chris Ridge, TICA’s technical director, says one example offered a Level 1 certificate upon completion of the £39.99 thermal insulation course.
However, he found the listed contacts failed to link to social media accounts while there was no registered address or contact telephone number.
Mr Ridge said: “Anyone signing up for online courses that may be generated using artificial intelligence should be aware that they may not contain the relevant information that meets UK compliance standards.
“I have seen examples of courses containing content that is non-UK specific and that is actually out of date.
Checking that training materials are recommended by the relevant trade organisation is vital
“We advise anyone interested in signing up for an online course to ensure they are properly accredited by checking with their relevant trade organisation. It’s important to stress that artificial intelligence cannot deliver the quality of information required to evidence competence, but it can produce something that looks authentic to the uninitiated.
“It’s important for everyone in the construction industry to be mindful of such activities, because if it’s happening in the thermal insulation sector, it may be happening elsewhere.
“Trade associations such as TICA, work extremely hard to ensure the competence requirements laid out in the Building Safety Act are met and it is important that these standards are upheld.”
