CCN206 Communicating with Bots

Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 05A 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 22 Apr 2025)

Overview

This unit introduces the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and bots as effective tools for communication planning and execution. It examines the impact of such technologies on communication planning and practice, and the skills required to develop bots. The unit provides the hands-on experience of applying technology to develop bots that algorithmically communicate via social media platforms. Communication professionals need to understand how to use emerging technologies such as AI to innovatively engage with their users and audiences. Bots, generally defined as “a computer program that performs automatic repetitive tasks”, and other technologies in the field of AI are changing the way communication is planned and executed, and how stories are told and evolve across social media platforms.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse the impact of bots and artificial intelligence on the flow of information in major social media platforms.
2. Create a bot to algorithmically communicate across social media platforms to execute a communication strategy.
3. Discuss the social, ethical, legal and privacy issues associated with using bots as part of a communication strategy.
4. Collaborate in a team to solve communication problems and present solutions in a written communication strategy.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face. You are expected to complete online pre-tutorial activities independently, prior to attending on-campus tutorials.

Learning experiences in this unit include:

• participating in class/online tutorials
• attending lectures
• engaging with online learning materials
• reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
• guest lectures
• programming exercises
• data analysis
• collaborating with peers

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:

• Informal formative feedback in tutorials,
• Self-assessment tools,
• Peer feedback,
• Formal written or recorded feedback on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.

Assessment

Overview

In this unit you will complete two assessment tasks:

1. Case Study - This task draws on key understandings about the role of bots in communications in a real world example. It also requires consideration of the social, ethical, legal and privacy issues associated with their use.

2. Build a bot - This task provides the opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence and bots to execute a communication strategy. It also requires consideration of the social, ethical, legal and privacy issues associated with their use. Additionally, you will collaborate with your peers to create a bot and justify design decisions based on scholarship.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case study

You will undertake a data-driven analysis that identifies and critically examines the role of bots in the communication about a specific real-world event. This includes considering the ethical and legal issues associated with using bots in communication contexts.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Build a bot

You will assume the role of a communication consultant employed by an organisation. In this role you have been asked by the Managing Director to create a bot as a part of a communication strategy in response to a challenge faced by the organisation. Working in a team you will devise a communication strategy and build a bot to achieve the organisation's communication goals.

You will reflect on the process of working in a group, including your individual contributions and those of your peers.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Risk Assessment Statement

All on-campus students are required to complete the online Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities.

You are advised to back-up your digital files on a regular basis to ensure work is not lost if there is a hardware failure. Information about the free file storage provided by QUT for students is available on the Storing your files page.

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication

1. Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Case study, Build a bot
2. Independently propose data-driven solutions to contemporary communication issues
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Build a bot
3. Analyse data using industry standard tools and platforms leveraging advanced capabilities
   Relates to: ULO1, Case study
4. Collaborate and negotiate with peers from diverse backgrounds using culturally appropriate ways of engaging
   Relates to: ULO4, Build a bot
5. Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Case study, Build a bot

KC88 Master of Digital Communication

1. Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Case study, Build a bot
2. Independently propose innovative, data-driven solutions to contemporary communication issues
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Build a bot
3. Analyse data using industry standard tools and platforms leveraging advanced capabilities to address industry and research problems
   Relates to: ULO1, Case study
4. Collaborate and negotiate with peers from diverse backgrounds using culturally appropriate ways of engaging
   Relates to: ULO4, Build a bot
5. Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Case study, Build a bot