In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, institutions in Utah are at the forefront of integrating AI to reshape learning experiences. The recent initiatives from Utah Valley University (UVU) and Utah State University (USU) exemplify the dynamic shift in higher education embracing AI-driven transformations.
Last week, UVU announced the launch of its Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, which positions the university as a pioneer in AI applications for education. Under the leadership of Rachael Hutchings, the institute aims to research, develop, test, and share AI applications. “The Applied AI Institute is a significant step forward in our vision for education at UVU,” UVU President Astrid Tuminez stated, emphasizing the institute’s mission to foster AI engagement among students, regardless of their major. The practical integration of AI into internships and collaborations with local businesses stands to equip students with hands-on experience, preparing them for a workforce increasingly reliant on AI technologies.
Moreover, the upcoming Master of Applied Artificial Intelligence degree, slated to commence in 2025, reflects UVU’s commitment to producing professionals adept at leveraging AI for industry solutions. The program comes after extensive research and preparation by university faculty, focusing on generative AI applications.
On a parallel track, USU’s implementation of the Salesforce Education Cloud aims to redefine student lifecycle management through AI. Eric Hawley, USU’s Chief Information Officer, articulated the vision of creating a comprehensive student record, akin to a patient’s complete medical history. USU’s approach deviates from conventional IT deployments, opting for a “70% baseline, 20% configured” model. “We don’t want to do the traditional Salesforce approach,” Hawley stated, highlighting a strategy less dependent on heavy customizations.
USU is tackling the immediate need for AI capabilities through “Overlay AI,” which enhances existing systems with AI-driven interactions. This strategy allows for the quick adoption of AI benefits without a full-scale Education Cloud implementation at the outset. However, ambiguity in Salesforce’s AI pricing, particularly for tools like Agentforce, presents a challenge. “We don’t even know what their billing model is,” Hawley remarked, pointing to a crucial need for transparent pricing in enterprise AI applications.
The UVU and USU examples illuminate broader themes of opportunity and caution facing higher education as it steers into AI. For UVU, collaborative efforts like those with the Center for National Security Studies delve into the societal impacts of AI, including deepfake technologies—a growing concern given their increasing online prevalence. According to a UVU study involving deepfakes, over 50% of participants misjudged AI-generated videos as real, underscoring the profound implications of deepfake content in the realm of public perception and trust.
Such findings are critical as the presidential election recently loomed large, thrusting AI and deepfakes into the spotlight. Michael Kaiser, President of Defending Digital Campaigns, stressed the importance of vigilance, noting the potential for deepfakes to spread misinformation during elections, a sentiment echoed by public servants and researchers involved in the UVU study. “I think this research actually reinforces that our ability to check and tell the difference cannot be what we base how we figure out whether deep fake or not,” Kaiser stated, advocating for a culture of skepticism and critical inquiry in evaluating media.
Across Utah’s educational landscape, initiatives to integrate AI extend to K-12 education. A $500,000 grant from Intermountain Healthcare is earmarked for enhancing digital literacy among K-12 educators, allocating $50,000 to train teachers in AI usage. JoAnne Brown, a junior high STEM teacher, embodies the forward-thinking approach necessary for embracing AI’s potential benefits in the classroom. “Whatever new technology is coming down the pipe, you need to embrace it,” Brown remarked.
As Utah’s institutions adapt to AI’s transformative power, these initiatives not only prepare students for evolving career landscapes but also underline the need for strategic collaboration and transparent processes. By fostering AI literacy and critical media engagement, Utah is setting a precedent for educational innovation nationwide.
News Sources
- UVU research shows AI generated deepfakes can mislead voters.
- Utah Valley University launches Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, AI master’s program
- Utah State University’s AI-Driven Education Cloud Transformation: A New Template for Higher Ed?
- Utah’s Board of Education developing AI training program for educators
- BYU Artificial Intelligence Association hosts Campus AI Day
- Empowering Higher Education with HaystackID®
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