Emily Laird, a nationally recognized AI expert, spoke at a Zoom meeting regarding the role of generative AI in higher education Wednesday. The meeting, attended by UW faculty members, touched on how to adopt generative AI into university programs and how AI has actually been here all along.
“AI has been silently assisting you this whole time, you just didn’t notice until it got chatty,” Laird said. “AI has been helping you write passive-aggressive emails and keeping you safe all along.”
Laird presented several examples of how AI has already been used for everyday tasks — including face recognition, spell check and security. These AI models have already been in use for various tasks for years. For instance, face recognition technology was originally developed for use in police departments, Laird said.
The meeting included discussion where attendees could share their frustration of students using AI for assignments and discussion. Professors said that in discussion posts it feels as if instead of students communicating, it is generative AI talking to another generative AI.
A 2024 study from the Digital Education Council found that 86% of students are regularly using AI in their studies.
Educators have long needed to adjust to new technologies such as the introduction of laptop computers into classrooms, but AI feels different, Laird said.
“AI is endlessly new, rapid developments place pressure on curriculum design,” Laird said.
Laird went on to describe reactions to the rise of generative AI as stages of grief, ranging from a person denying that AI has the capability to take over their job to ending in acceptance of the technology and using it as a tool in classes.
Laird said generative AI is both a tool for educators and one of their biggest challenges to overcome, as educators can integrate AI into lesson plans and use it for help with grading. But, educators must also be aware and prepared to deal with student use of AI and how to navigate the ever changing landscape of modern generative AI, Laird said.
“AI in higher education is one of the greatest double-edged swords we’ve ever come up against,” Laird said.
