Advancing computing technologies and machine intelligence are bringing rapid and fundamental changes to our lives and the educational enterprise. Some view this with great anticipation, and others with great concern. In this presentation, I examine the changes in society, demographics, and technology that will continue to impact the existence and form of higher education institutions. There are a lot of conversations about what AI can do, yet there are many areas in which AI cannot replace human attributes. Many of those areas involve matters of the heart and caring. Some issues are: • Developing ethical guidelines: Establishing clear ethical principles for developing and using AI can help mitigate potential harms.
• Transparency and explainability: Making AI decision-making processes more transparent and understandable is crucial for building trust and accountability. • Creation and Education: Equipping students to discern between AI and human interactions and creation. • Education and reskilling: Equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to navigate an AI-driven world is essential to mitigate job displacement and promote inclusivity. • Public awareness and engagement: Open dialogue and public participation in discussions about AI are crucial for shaping its responsible development and use. By critically examining and addressing these concerns, we can work towards fostering positive and beneficial human-AI interactions that lead to a better future for all. This study will reflect on a faculty survey about spiritual, ethical, and wisdom concerns in higher education.
Debra is an Associate Professor of Education in the George Fox Educational Leadership Program, teaching doctoral-level courses in Faith, Ethics, and Research in Effective Teaching, emphasizing emerging AI and its impact on Higher Education. She has been a K-12 music educator and elementary Principal and has taught in higher education for over 25 years in the field of educational leadership. She resides in Portland, Oregon, and serves as a Chaplain for the Milwaukie Police Department.