Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a dominant force in various sectors, with its influence being felt in almost every situation. While discussions about AI are a regular occurrence in corporations and sciences, they are still relatively new among many professors in colleges and universities. This is mainly because faculty members from different academic backgrounds only touch upon AI occasionally in their teaching and research.
The adoption of AI by faculty members is lagging behind that of students, who are already incorporating it into their everyday lives and using it in the classroom. According to a recent survey by BestColleges in 2023, 54% of college students found AI to be helpful when working on tasks such as blog content, coding assignments, and coursework.
The survey also revealed that faculty members use AI in various ways. Some incorporate it into their assignments or use it to grade papers, while others use it to gather ideas for future studies. I spoke with several faculty members who have embraced AI in their teaching. For example, Angela Seaworth, an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, actively incorporates AI into her lessons. She uses it to show students the results of processes they have done, such as writing donor letters and expressions of appreciation. She then asks students to relate the letters to the music they create, allowing them to engage with the exercise and make their writing more meaningful.
Another faculty member, Brittany Myburgh from Jackson State University, uses AI as a tool for enhancing creativity. She and her colleagues have trained AI chatbots to advise students on their career paths by utilizing the university’s degree maps and general education dataset. This initiative reflects their commitment to preparing students for the future job market in a tech-driven world while ensuring ethical integration of AI.
Despite the potential benefits of AI in education, some faculty members have reservations about its integration into the learning process. Marc Watkins from the University of Mississippi believes that students should use AI to aid their work rather than replace it. However, many lecturers are hesitant to embrace AI in the classroom. This is partly due to concerns about the impact of AI on education, as highlighted by Houman Harouni from Harvard University. Harouni suggests that faculty should not ignore the existence of AI but instead involve students in the process, teach them how to ask AI questions, and use AI to foster imagination.
Ross Aikins from the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes that instructors need to understand the bigger picture and recognize that students are leveraging AI tools to overcome academic challenges and receive better support. While there are debates about the limitations of AI, it is widely agreed that responsible use of AI is crucial in educating students effectively.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it is important for all individuals involved in AI to use it wisely and creatively while also addressing concerns about academic integrity. It is clear that AI is here to stay, and its impact on education cannot be ignored.
This article was originally published in Forbes.
