DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – As a part of the newly approved UMN system strategic roadmap, UMD is developing an education plan that includes AI proficiency in student education.
As a junior in Environmental Science at UMD, Ella Schroeder said she struggles to balance the environmental damages of using AI with the importance it may have in her future.
“When I first started here, AI was not a huge thing, and I’ve only been here for three years,” said Schroeder. “And in the past two years it’s come up a lot, and no matter what you think about AI, it’s going to be here.”
AI use has now evolved to the workplace, so much so that educators say they need to integrate AI use in classes to make sure students are ready for the workforce.
“This is a tool that folks can engage with and learn from on how to do their jobs better,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Strategic Roadmap Committee Co-Chair Rebecca Ropers.
This is one factor UMD has been deliberating while building its upcoming roadmap with a 30-member committee.
Some faculty have cautioned the use of AI, “who are looking at it to be a little bit careful, and say what are the impacts on the larger society on the use of AI,” said Ropers.
Ropers said that this may result in a return to “old-school” forms of education assessment, such as bluebooks, handwritten exams, and oral presentations. That way, students can be measured on their learning, independent of AI.
Students who assisted in the system-wide roadmap see it as a way to push the bounds of learning.
“It’s not something that’s going to go away,” said Student Body President Remi Foust. “We can’t really sit there and ignore it. So why not get ahead of it? Why not put it on the roadmap to look at and improve upon, and see how we integrate it in our system?”
At the end of the day, whether students like it or not, AI will continue to evolve and be part of our lives.
“Unfortunately, it’s a sad truth that if you want a job in the future, you’re going to have to be knowledgeable in AI, whether you like it or not,” said Schroeder. “So, I think that they should teach about AI.”
The plan is expected to be completed by May of next year. To learn more about UMD’s strategic roadmap, click here.
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