GEF Madrid 2024: Conversation: Becoming an AI University / GEF AI Platform

Summary

George Simons, a co-founder and chief scientist of SNH use human system, discusses the intersection of human and artificial cognition in education. He addresses the challenges and opportunities AI presents to higher education, emphasizing the need for universities to adapt and integrate AI to remain relevant. Simons outlines key areas where AI can transform learning, teaching, and research, urging a proactive approach to ethical considerations and data infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The speaker, George Simons, researches the intersection of human and artificial cognition in knowledge processes and is involved in building resources to respond to the impact of AI on learning and wellness.
• 🏛 George criticizes higher education's response to AI, suggesting it has been fatigued and even antagonistic, and calls for universities to be more proactive in utilizing AI to ensure student success and remain relevant.
• 📚 He discusses four main topic areas: literature on AI and learning, the intersection of human and machine cognition, current trends in AI, and the implications for universities.
• 🤖 AI is not just a tool but a node within our cognitive network, which has significant implications for education and how we understand and facilitate learning.
• 🔬 Research indicates that AI can affect complex problem-solving and learning processes, including metacognition, emotion, and trust, necessitating a re-evaluation of educational theories and practices.
• 📈 The benefits of AI in education include personalized learning, improved administrative processes, and more effective assessment methods.
• 🚧 However, there are challenges such as ethical concerns, curriculum development, and infrastructure questions that universities need to address when integrating AI.
• 🔍 A literature review reveals that AI applications in education are primarily focused on adaptive systems and personalization, profiling and prediction, and assessment and evaluation.
• 🛠️ The current trends in AI include the prevalence of AI in various platforms, the growth of open-source LLMs, and the integration of AI with traditional robotics and wearable devices.
• 🏗️ To effectively incorporate AI, universities should focus on building institutional capability, improving personalized learning experiences, and accelerating research through AI utilization.
• 🌐 The speaker advocates for a global data consortium to facilitate multi-institution collaboration and sharing of data to enhance AI capabilities across universities.

Q & A

What is the main topic of George Simons' discussion?

George Simons discusses the intersection of human and artificial cognition in knowledge processes, the role of AI in higher education, and how universities should adapt to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

What is the significance of the speaker's role as co-founder, chief scientist, and architect of SNH use human system?

As a co-founder, chief scientist, and architect of SNH use human system, the speaker is involved in building resources to respond to the systems' impact on AI, learning, and wellness, highlighting his expertise in the field.

What are the four distinct topic areas that George Simons plans to cover in his talk?

The four topic areas include literature around AI and learning, the intersection between human and machine learning, current trends in AI, and the implications for universities, as well as priorities for universities to consider in the AI conversation.

How does George Simons view AI in the context of human cognition?

George Simons views AI not as a tool, but as a node within our cognitive network, suggesting that AI is an integral part of the networks that make up human intelligence.

What is the current state of AI in education according to the literature mentioned by George Simons?

The literature suggests that AI in education is primarily used for adaptive systems and personalization, profiling and prediction, assessment and evaluation, and to a lesser extent, tutoring.

What are some of the challenges introduced by AI in the educational landscape?

Challenges include ethical dynamics, ensuring AI helps rather than harms people, preserving student integrity and security, curriculum development, and infrastructure questions.

What does George Simons suggest as a critical component for universities initiating the AI conversation?

George Simons emphasizes the importance of getting data and related architecture right, building institutional capability with AI, and considering multi-institution collaboration for sharing data.

What is the concept of an 'AI first University' as proposed by George Simons?

An 'AI first University' is one where AI is involved in all aspects of the organization, from infrastructure to admissions, teaching, assessment, curriculum, and the research process.

How does George Simons relate the impact of social media to the potential impact of AI on society?

He draws a parallel between the initial positive connections provided by social media and its eventual negative effects, suggesting that AI could have a similar trajectory if not managed properly.

What are some of the significant trends in AI that George Simons identifies?

Significant trends include the prevalence of AI in everyday technologies, the growth of multimedia and multimodal AI, the promotion of open source LLMs, the rise of very small LLMs, AI pairings with traditional robotics, and advancements in platform technologies for AI development.