The idea of Artificial Intelligence has been around for more than 70 years but has recently taken center stage in the education space. As AI and Generative AI such as ChatGPT and chatbots become increasingly more accessible, institutional leaders are keen to harness AI’s ability to process learning analytics, individualize learning experiences, and transform assessments. While AI offers significant opportunities to impact teaching and learning, it is not without risks. Plagiarism, loss of critical thinking, increasing the digital divide, and conversations around ethics and integrity are just a few concerns institutions must navigate.
Samba Diop, Sr. Digital Learning Manager at Georgia Institute of Technology, recently shared how they have embraced artificial intelligence through unique and innovative programs and partnerships without sacrificing academic integrity.
Spread Awareness and Encourage Exploration of AI
Georgia Tech is no stranger to AI’s ability to automate complex tasks, extract insights from data, and interact with users through natural language interfaces. In the spring of 2016, they launched Jill Watson, their first AI teaching assistant through Canvas, their learning management system. Jill Watson is deployed in over 40 online classes with more than 12,000 students. Today, they are developing Jill+, a more scalable tool for teachers and learners powered by ChatGPT.
To ensure continuous and conscientious institution-wide adoption, they have implemented a three-part strategy for all of their AI initiatives:
- Strategic collaboration: Boosting their AI capabilities through knowledge-sharing
- Responsible adoption: Driving adoption through a complete understanding of AI
- Intentional access to tools: Empowering students, faculty, and staff to leverage AI effectively
This strategy sets the foundation for their work to change the conversation around AI. It is informed by Georgia Tech’s AI Guidelines, set by the Office of Information Technology. The guidelines aim to list all available tools vetted for security, privacy, and accessibility standards and share the privacy and data security implications that should be considered when using these tools.
AI Training and Pedagogy
The Center for Teaching and Learning has taken a proactive approach to educating faculty on best practices and pedagogy for using AI and implementing it into Universal Design for Learning. They use it to create course content and brainstorm ideas for unique assessments. The recent focus has been on using Generative AI. The Center for Teaching and Learning has provided three strategies for how to use GenAI to boost the learning experience effectively:
- Instructional Assistant: Leverage GenAI to develop entirely new courses with unique syllabus items, rubrics, and engaging assessments
- Learning Assistant: Allow students to use GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot to help with brainstorming and instant feedback on assignments
- Student Assignments: Use GenAI within assignments so students learn about AI within their discipline
The Center continues to find ways to educate faculty on using AI to create inclusive, culturally responsive learning focused on student well-being and success.
Advance AI through Discovery
The AI Hub at Georgia Tech leads the development of new paths to educate and train the next generation of the AI workforce. Established to advance AI through discovery, interdisciplinary research, responsible deployment, and next-generation education, it has seen over 500 AI researchers and hundreds of students studying AI.
Establish Partnerships in AI
The AI Makerspace gives students access to computing resources typically available only to researchers or technology companies. Established in collaboration with NVIDIA, this innovative sandbox aims to:
- Prepare students to be the new generation of AI professionals
- Help students understand and use artificial intelligence in the classroom
- Impart the essential principles of AI to all students
The Future of AI at Georgia Tech
AI is a foundational tool at Georgia Tech that supports new academic and research opportunities, boosts learning experiences, and impacts campus operations. But what does the future look like? Georgia Tech is looking beyond the classroom and identifying ways to use AI to process data analytics in new facets, like student retention.
Prevent and Deter Improper Use of AI
Georgia Tech is at the forefront of artificial intelligence, and they understand it’s impact on the teaching and learning experience. There are instances where educators are looking to deter and prevent the use of AI to evaluate students’ critical thinking skills and creativity. With over 19,000 undergraduate students and vast online programs, Georgia Tech chose Honorlock to help prevent and deter improper use of AI during assessments.
Honorlock’s innovative online proctoring service combines AI technology with live, human proctors to effectively detect and deter improper use of AI tools and uphold exam integrity. Honorlock can protect against prohibited use of AI, when needed, by:
- Restricting access to other browsers, extensions (such as Transcript or ChatGPT), and applications so AI tools can’t be used when not allowed
- Listening for commands that activate voice assistants, such as Siri or Google, which could be used to leverage AI
- Preventing test takers from pasting pre-copied text from AI tools into exams and assignments
- Checking the room for unauthorized secondary devices like cell phones
- Recording desktop screens to identify the use of AI tools
For an in-depth look into their comprehensive AI strategy, watch the full webinar: