IBL News | San Antonio, Texas
Higher education institutions are trying to figure out how to best integrate AI into institutional operations and strategy.
This was one of the primary outcomes of the Educause 2024 Annual Conference, which took place last week in San Antonio, Texas. The show attracted around 7,000 educators and leaders in a well-organized event. Next year, Educause’s main event will be celebrated 27-30 October in Nashville, Tennessee.
“AI is a disruptor whose impact is not yet widespread,” said John O’Brien, President and CEO at Educause to IBL News. [In the picture above].
“What AI is good for and its risks are also essential considerations,” he added.
“It will be interesting to see how AI features in future Top 10s.”
In this year’s Top 10 issues, AI was embedded in more than half of the outcomes.
On issue #1, The Data-Empowered Institution, AI can improve decision-making and analytics.
On issue #8: Putting People First, Educause highlighted the importance of figuring out the role of AI in the future of work.
On issue #10: Supportable, Sustainable, and Affordable, the key is to determine how to incorporate possible AI-infused futures into the institution’s vision and strategic planning.
In the Top 10 Survey, there were two issues specifically about AI:
- The Ethics of AI: Ensuring that implementations and uses of AI are equitable and inclusive.
- AI Goes to School: Tailoring AI models and tools to support student learning and advising.
Educause disclosed that another issue didn’t make the overall Top 10: Next-Gen Faculty: Helping faculty transform education, research, and scholarship in the age of AI and XR.
