[Faculty] Generative AI and its implications for Instruction at the UA

Tue Jul 11 14:00:05 MST 2023

Colleagues,

A warm, mid-summer greeting to you all (as if warm is what you need at this point).  I hope your summer thus far has been both productive and relaxing.  As we eye the start of the Fall 2023 semester in just 6 weeks, I'd like to give you an update on a question that's been swirling for several months:  what are the implications of generative AI for instruction at the UA?

I'm sure you are all aware that tools like ChatGPT are transforming the "knowledge" industry in multiple ways.  Higher education is squarely in the path of this technological transformation.  For an entertaining, fascinating, even chilling overview, use the link below to view the 60 Minutes episode that aired this past Sunday evening.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-artificial-intelligence-future-60-minutes-transcript-2023-07-09/

[https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/04/16/4c75adeb-ca12-426e-bd12-3a5adde32f2c/thumbnail/1200x630/559f05684316f5e602fd713fd06081c9/hadsell-1.jpg?v=532947bbe7449b367b963713a282edbc]<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-artificial-intelligence-future-60-minutes-transcript-2023-07-09/>
Is artificial intelligence advancing too quickly? What AI leaders at Google say<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-artificial-intelligence-future-60-minutes-transcript-2023-07-09/>
Competitive pressure among tech giants is propelling society into the future of artificial intelligence, ready or not. Scott Pelley dives into the world of AI with Google CEO Sundar Pichai
www.cbsnews.com<http://www.cbsnews.com/>

So, what is happening here at the UA to help faculty and students cope?  It turns out that there is quite a beehive of activity around this topic, both across campus and inside CALS.  Among other efforts, the university launched an AI Task Force this summer, for which more than 60 faculty members joined the first meeting in early June.  All things related to Generative AI are being considered, affecting both teaching and research.  We will be learning more by summer's end as UCATT sorts out what it will take the lead on internally and what it will farm out to faculty working groups associated with the Task Force.  Included in the UCATT projects (I think) are a series of workshops and outside speakers planned for the coming year.

There is also great interest across Faculty Learning Communities, including the creation of a Generative AI and Teaching and Learning FLC, co-led by Kathleen Kennedy (Norton School, retailing faculty).  We are discussing how we might structure a CALS Working Group that could give more focused advice and assistance to faculty in the college.  This may involve a survey of faculty interests before the end of the summer, so keep an eye on your mailbox.

As we move into the Fall semester I'm sure you will be hearing more on these topics, and opportunities for professional development.  For now, I just want you to know that neither the university nor the college is dozing through this transformational time.  Stay tuned for more.

Best wishes for the rest of your summer.

Mike

Michael Staten | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Bart Cardon Associate Dean for Career and Academic Services
Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics
The University of Arizona
Forbes Hall, Room 211
The University of Arizona
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
PHONE: 520.621.1932
statenm at email.arizona.edu<mailto:statenm at email.arizona.edu>
www.mikestaten.com<http://www.mikestaten.com>

 <https://mail.catnet.arizona.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=IhgSDS1aM0-pCxLd45SX6QGVXkA_Y9AICxoYjhJJjkGPbEiiVeur7Ss2XRc_SwTxACxOMDV7S6Y.&URL=https%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2fCreditWiseCats>   <https://mail.catnet.arizona.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=IhgSDS1aM0-pCxLd45SX6QGVXkA_Y9AICxoYjhJJjkGPbEiiVeur7Ss2XRc_SwTxACxOMDV7S6Y.&URL=https%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fCreditWiseCats>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.cals.arizona.edu/pipermail/faculty/attachments/20230711/c2cfb9ae/attachment.htm>