Professors and students need to understand AI to better shape how it’s used in higher education, panelists say

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There’s some good news for teachers afraid artificial intelligence will take their jobs.

A human teacher will always be necessary for effective learning to happen, according to a group of AI experts who were asked to consider how the rapidly developing technology might transform higher education.

But there are many ways that students, teachers and administrators could use AI to make teaching and learning easier and more effective, and streamline the bureaucracy of higher education.

In a wide ranging conversation hosted by The Texas Tribune at the University of Texas at Dallas on Friday, moderator Darla Cameron, interim chief product officer at the Tribune, asked panelists how AI could change everything from college admissions and retention to teaching, learning and research.

The panelists were Snow White, director of education sales strategy at Intel; Gopal Gupta, computer science professor at UTD; and Igor Lucic, a former Houston Community College student who now attends the University of Houston. They view AI as a way to enhance productivity and eliminate remedial tasks, like scheduling or taking attendance, so teachers and administrators could spend more time on the human aspects of the job. But they did not see it as a replacement for the humans who inspire students.

“We’re probably better off making aides for teachers rather than replacing the teacher,” Gupta said.

The panelists emphasized the need to educate students about how to use AI effectively and responsibly, including what personal information should be shared when using AI technology and where that information could end up.

Gupta cautioned people against accepting the answers AI gives at face value, reiterating that AI programs like Chat GPT and others can give incorrect information.

White said the future of admissions is likely hybrid: humans making decisions with the help of AI technology.

“We shouldn't just rely on one side or the other because humans make mistakes, too,” she said.

Panelists were adamant that as AI is introduced into the classroom or to enhance an employee’s work processes, there need to be clear ethical guidelines for its use. But everyone from students, teachers and staff have to understand how to use AI to establish where those ethical boundaries lie, they said.

But White said if AI makes it easier for students to get answers or complete assignments, it might require teachers to change their methods to ensure students are learning and understanding material in ways where they can’t rely on AI.

Panelists said the first step is to get past people’s fear of AI so they learn to embrace it.

Disclosure: Houston Community College, University of Texas - Dallas and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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