Higher Education Institutions Look to Add AI Into Lessons

AI’s effect on higher education looks to be evolving. According to announcements by multiple universities and colleges, AI is looking to be welcomed with open arms after an initial period of suspension from many institutions.

First, Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College, said “We felt there was a workforce need, and that’s our thought process in developing a program, to meet the workforce needs and be innovative in the way we do it,”.

This comes after the college announced a $5 million investment into each of two AI centers located on different campuses. She went on to say, “We have to move this fast, to be responsive to the workforce and responsive to the industries’ needs.”.

The investment by the college is notable for its addition to the institution’s curriculum, but it pales in comparison to other colleges and universities. Another example of AI’s advancement in higher ed comes from New York.

New York State University at Albany announced a $200 million “AI Plus” initiative that is focused on researching and embedding the technology in courses from philosophy to weather prediction. In a similar case, Indiana University has poured a $60 million donation into a dedicated AI research center and even Chat GPT is embracing legitimate relationships with higher education.

Then, there’s the case of Arizona State. The university and OpenAI announced that their collaboration will formalize the use of ChatGPT Enterprise in the university, “empowering” faculty and staff to explore generative AI to enhance teaching and research without compromising privacy and security.

Starting in February, ASU will run an open challenge that invites faculty and staff to submit ideas of best-use scenarios for enhancing student success and creating new avenues for research. The goal, according to ASU, is to enhance learning and create more successful student outcomes.

Of these moves, Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, said “It’s risky not to study AI is going to be an important part of everyone’s life … It’s a matter of time before it becomes the mainstream; we’re years from it happening, but there won’t be a higher ed where AI won’t be incorporated.”.

So it seems that higher education is hoping that by embracing artificial intelligence, it will be better equipped to aid its students in becoming ready for the future.

Originally posted on OpenDataScience.com

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