October 2, 2024
Embracing the vast reach of artificial intelligence (AI)—the computer science intelligence exhibited by machines, particularly computer systems that perceive their environment—St. John’s University was recently admitted into two select artificial intelligence organizations, the AI Alliance and the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ inaugural Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum.
In December 2023, IBM and Meta launched the AI Alliance in collaboration with more than 50 founding members and global collaborators. It is an invitation-only group that consists of a broad range of organizations that work across aspects of AI education, research, development and deployment, and governance.
The AI Alliance focuses on accelerating and disseminating open innovation across the AI technology landscape to improve foundational capabilities, safety, security, and trust in AI, and to responsibly maximize benefits to people and society everywhere. It brings together a critical mass of computer, data, tools, and talent to accelerate open innovation in AI.
“As a member of the IBM AI Alliance, we are committed to advancing the frontier of artificial intelligence through collaboration and innovation. By aligning with IBM’s mission to build, enable, and advocate AI solutions, we strive to construct transformative educational tools that empower students and educators,” stated Fazel Keshtkar, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Division of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science, and Director of the Information Technology program. “Together, we will build cutting-edge learning platforms, enable AI-driven education for diverse communities, and advocate for AI’s responsible and ethical use in shaping the future of education. This partnership positions us at the forefront of AI-powered learning solutions.”
St. John’s is one of only 124 higher education institutions selected to participate in the Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. This new, online institute is designed to help departments, programs, colleges, and universities respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities artificial intelligence presents for courses and curricula. It will help them rethink pedagogical and assessment approaches within and across courses; address academic integrity concerns and consider new policies and practices; contemplate the ethical and equity implications of AI; and adopt AI competencies and literacies as course and/or programmatic learning outcomes.
“We are proud to be part of the AACU AI Institute, along with more than 120 US higher education institutions,” stated Luca Iandoli, Ph.D., Dean, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies. “Given the fast and deep impact of AI on pedagogy, being part of a large and prestigious community of practice will help St. John’s learn from others and contribute to the debate on sustainable, pedagogically effective, and ethical development of AI applications in education.”
The institute consists of a broad range of organizations that work across aspects of AI education, research, development and deployment, and governance. Monthly meetings and webinars are planned throughout the academic year to allow teams to interact with other campuses, address timely topics of interest, and provide updates on the status of AI. Members of the campus teams will be assigned a coach from the institute’s faculty. In addition to providing their perspectives, each coach will connect the team with expertise from other institute faculty members as needed.
In addition to bringing together leading developers, scientists, academics, students, and business leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, the institute plans to partner with important existing initiatives from government, nonprofit, and civil society organizations who perform valuable and aligned work in the AI space.
“St. John’s embraces AI innovation and the use of such technology in and outside the classroom to better enhance our students’ learning, research, and career opportunities,” stated Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The Academic AI Task Force is an initiative started by the Office of the Provost to pursue the following objectives:
Grow awareness and support the adoption of Generative AI in academic activities.
Provide the University community with skills, tools, and policies to integrate Generative AI in the classroom and academic research.
Support the St. John’s community as we seek to understand the impact of Generative AI on our curricula, pedagogy, and student employability.
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