In a recent Tampa Bay Times article, FINS faculty, Dr. Sid Dobrin, weighs in on the impact that Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is having on higher education and how Florida colleges and universities, including the University of Florida (UF), are embracing and guiding its implementation, thus playing a pivotal role in ushering in the coming AI-savvy workforce.
“While this technology, which uses AI to create content such as text, images and video, is not new, its recent widespread adoption has led some educators to panic over how it may affect the way we work, communicate and live.”
Despite considerable opposition by some educators, including “widespread concerns about academic integrity and the preservation of traditional academic practices“, the Florida College System and the State University System are at the forefront of adopting and incorporating the transformative power of the relatively new technology, as evidenced by the recently formed Florida AI Learning Consortium (FALCON). This new consortium, which has no membership fees and is open to anyone interested in joining, “is dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of generative AI in higher education. To foster ethical, responsible, and innovative use of AI through interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty development, and the exploration of AI’s role across various academic disciplines. We aim to serve as a nexus for thought leadership, resource sharing, and policy development, ensuring academic integrity and enhancing the educational experience in the age of AI. Our commitment extends to preparing educators and institutions to adapt to and positively influence the evolving landscape of AI in education.” Further, not unlike FINS, FALCON is “committed to cross-disciplinary, inter-institutional collaboration” involving AI utilization and seeks “to produce graduates who are self-sufficient and capable of contributing to society” – which inevitably “requires the cultivation of the skills needed to leverage GenAI ethically in a range of professional and social contexts“.
Read the full article HERE: