A student has accused the University of East Anglia of using AI to generate parts of a mandatory course on sexual assault and harassment.

In a video posted to TikTok, Max Gowers suggested that multiple aspects of the training registered as “over 50% likely” to be AI-generated.

The University of East Anglia has admitted to using AI-generated images as part of the course, but denied that anything else was a product of artificial intelligence.

A UEA spokesperson said: “The training has been developed internally at UEA through a collaboration of staff from Student Journey and Support Services and the Centre for Technology Enhanced Learning by an experienced team of humans.

“Images do not use real people to protect identities as this is a sensitive topic.

“The training has not been generated by AI.”

The university confirmed that an initial version of the training video incorrectly included a single page at the end that linked to an AI e-training website.

They said it had been “generated by the software used to produce the training video”, but that it has now been removed.

Max, a UEA media studies student, said: “The use of AI-generated content in training that tackles a subject as sensitive as sexual assault and harassment makes a mockery of those that have experienced it.

“AI-generated content is inherently a Frankenstein of largely stolen creative works, and here it’s diverting attention from non-generative aspects worked on tirelessly by staff, overshadowing their dedication.

“UEA’s actions are offensive to those affected by the topics discussed, and make me concerned that the university is not taking the subject seriously.”

The course became a compulsory module for all students enrolled at the university following a change in regulations by the Office for Students.

The new conditions came into effect on 1 August, with the university requiring students to complete the learning module from September 2025.

In 2025, UEA achieved the Excellence in Prevention Award from the RE:SET Universities Programme.

The programme supports universities by reviewing their current performance in the prevention of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

In a statement, the university confirmed that “in addition to the mandatory online training, the Student Journey and Support Team will be delivering in person optional training for all students and staff to attend next academic year.

“We are proud to have put in place dedicated resources for Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct, published on our website alongside our reporting platform ‘Report and Support’ which provides further resources.”

Image Credit: Emily Pitt-Shaw