The University of Kentucky (UK) has formed a broad-based committee to examine the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and tools such as ChatGPT both for the university and for the state at large.
The UK Advancing Data Utilization for Value in Academia for National and Campuswide Excellence (ADVANCE) Committee – led by UK Provost Robert DiPaola – is composed of representatives from a broad range of disciplines and administrative backgrounds, including computer science; bioinformatics; pharmacy; medicine; philosophy; communication; writing, rhetoric and digital communication; research; law and information technology; and teaching and learning.
“Artificial intelligence has the power to make our work together more efficient and even transformative,” DiPaola said in announcing the committee and its work. “At the same time, it has tremendous potential, if used wrongly or unethically, to cause great harm.”
According to the university, the ADVANCE Committee will meet regularly to review the latest academic literature surrounding AI and tools such as ChatGPT and provide guidance and recommendations to the campus community regarding its usage.
DiPaola explained that the committee’s goal is to provide “our president and campus recommendations regarding the responsible use and optimal use of these powerful tools to achieve and enhance the university’s mission in education, research, clinical care and service.”
A university press release said that the ADVANCE Committee’s initial goals include:
- Providing guidance and recommendations to the campus community regarding the use of AI;
- Developing questions and helping launch innovative research;
- Developing recommendations around the responsible use of these tools in ways that support the university’s mission; and
- Identifying and developing a training toolkit to assist faculty in the use of AI in the classroom and other areas.
DiPaola added that developing transdisciplinary partnerships with faculty, administrators and students is critical to “co-create solutions that directly address classroom issues, such as personalized learning, adaptive assessments, automated feedback, and intelligent tutoring systems.”
To aid in the committee’s work, the university created a special email address – UKADVANCE@uky.edu – to field questions, ideas, and recommendations as well as well as provide feedback regarding AI-related efforts underway on campus.
