From Inside Higher Ed: 2024-05-21 03:03:23

Arizona State University has a long-standing relationship with Silicon Valley giants, including Google. In January, ASU partnered with AI pioneer OpenAI, sparking an influx of project proposals. The university is focusing on utilizing AI technology to enhance teaching, research, and the university experience. ASU aims to enrich student success through innovative AI projects.

ASU and OpenAI developed their partnership through technical conversations, leading to a deepening relationship that officially began in January. ASU is the only educational partner of OpenAI, with the University of Michigan being the only other institution to write a large check to an OpenAI co-founder. However, not everyone is in favor of the partnership, with concerns being raised by ASU faculty and students.

ASU is approaching the OpenAI partnership with a focused strategy, selecting over 200 projects for implementation this spring and summer. The projects aim to address various aspects of education, including teaching, research, and improving the university experience. ASU acts as a consultant to OpenAI, providing feedback on their AI models and potentially developing AI-powered products for education.

Faculty and student proposals for AI projects at ASU will not replace professors but instead supplement courses. The university aims to enhance student learning experiences through AI technology. Concerns have been raised by some faculty members about the potential consequences of using AI in the classroom, highlighting the importance of open dialogue and careful consideration.

As ASU continues to expand its use of AI technology, the university remains engaged with various large language models and AI products. The partnership with OpenAI is just one aspect of ASU’s broader engagement with AI technology. The university is committed to ensuring that faculty, students, and staff have access to cutting-edge AI tools and resources to enhance their educational experience.



Read more at Inside Higher Ed: Unpacking ASU’s OpenAI partnership and faculty concerns