Are we there yet? Identifying saturation points in generative AI research

Abstract

Just over 3 years after the public release of ChatGPT, we revisit the initial research agenda that the then lead editors of AJET outlined in early 2023, and we explore how the five key research areas related to generative artificial intelligence (AI) they identified at the time have been addressed since: sensemaking, assessment integrity, assessment redesign, learning and teaching with AI, and ethics. Significant progress has been made across these areas, evidenced by tailored policy frameworks, sector‑wide collaborations and an increasing number of empirical studies. However, given this proliferation of research activity and focus on generative AI, we ultimately ask the question of whether we are reaching saturation point in some areas of generative AI-related research. Drawing on submission trends, we reflect on the value and limits of certain types of empirical evidence within the educational technology field, and tertiary education more generally. Rather than proposing fixed saturation criteria, we call here for reflection and dialogue, for researchers, journal editors and publishers. We argue that while we may not have reached saturation point yet, we seem to be getting close to it in some focus areas and contexts.