AI is not a fad

A few years ago — long before I ever imagined being in this role — I shared some thoughts regarding how PASSHE universities bridge the gap between the demand for higher education in Pennsylvania's job market and the actual number of adults with higher education credentials.

Even while we do our part to prepare students for success after graduation, one immutable truth remains: the world is changing at a faster pace than ever before. As universities, we prepare students to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and creative problem solvers. We also know it is essential to marry these skills with the advancements in technology that are shaping each industry and sector in new and powerful ways.

That brings me to artificial intelligence.

As we all come to understand the potential power of AI, it is essential for professionals in every field to understand how this technology will influence their work. When I say "every field," I truly mean every single one.

For fun, I used a certain AI bot to outline five ways a chancellor of a public university system can utilize AI in that role. Here’s what I found, edited with some of my own thinking:
  1. Setting Vision and Strategy — Engaging in meaningful conversations about AI on campus is essential to creating a vision that aligns with our mission and goals.
  2. Enhancing Teaching and Learning — Participating in broader discussions about AI can help us develop curricula that improves student outcomes and preparedness to interact with AI after graduation.
  3. Improving Operational Efficiency — Utilizing AI can streamline administrative tasks, allowing us to maintain our focus on student success.
  4. Driving Research and Innovation — Understanding how AI impacts various aspects of society will foster more interdisciplinary conversations.
  5. Ensuring Responsible and Ethical AI Use — Advocating for engagement with AI also requires us to provide clear guidance for its responsible use.
As with all aspects of academe, this work cannot be done in isolation. We rely on the faculty and staff experts at our universities to help students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in this dynamic landscape — in this case, to have the AI literacy their field of study will demand.

As a system of universities, we’re doing our part too. Yesterday we announced an expansion of our partnership with Google to help students develop the AI competencies they will need for their future careers. Through the program, students will learn the foundations of AI skills, techniques for effective prompting, and responsible use of AI tools.

We can’t fool ourselves into thinking AI is a passing fancy. It’s not some trend that promises to change higher education but doesn’t live up to the hype (remember new math, common core, and MOOCs?). If anything, we are at risk of underestimating AI’s impact. Our duty is to walk into the future with our eyes wide open so that we can prepare our students to meet challenges head-on.

PASSHE is not alone in recognizing the urgent need to prepare Pennsylvanians for AI's transformative impact. Later this week, Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator David McCormick, and numerous CEOs will convene in Pittsburgh to showcase Pennsylvania's leadership in harnessing AI to address significant challenges, drive economic growth, and achieve breakthroughs in human health.

Perhaps the best contribution we can make is to ensure our graduates know what AI tools they should be prepared to use as they start their careers or prepare to make their next big career move. Those who lack such skills will be left behind. As educators, it’s our job to ensure that doesn’t happen.

I look forward to engaging with you about this in the coming months and welcome your thoughts either in the comments below or via email at chancellor@passhe.edu.

Chris

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