Harnessing AI in Higher Education: 5 Key Takeaways from HILT's Teaching in the Age of AI Conference

“It’s crucial to learn and teach how to ask good questions, no matter which technology you are interacting with.” That was my biggest takeaway from last Friday's Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT) conference on Teaching in the Age of AI. However, during the weekend, I decided to apply my learnings from the conference. I asked ChatGPT to go through my notes and write a post for the Harvard Business School Leadership Initiative (LI) LinkedIn page, including 5 insights that would be interesting for our audience, especially for leaders attending our executive programs. This is what I got:

?

Last Friday, we had the privilege of attending the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT) conference on "Teaching in the Age of AI: Nurturing Connections and Empowering Learners." The event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers and thought-provoking discussions that shed light on the role of artificial intelligence in education. Here are five key insights from the conference that leaders, particularly those attending our executive programs, will find invaluable:

?

1. The Power of Questioning:

- Mitchell B. Weiss, Richard L. Menschel Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and author of "Education for Judgment," stressed the importance of teaching students to ask questions. Encouraging critical thinking is essential in an era dominated by AI, where answers are readily available but meaningful questions drive innovation.

?

2. Equity in AI Implementation:

- Kristina Ishmael, Deputy Director at the US Department of Education, Office of Education Technology, highlighted the need to ensure equity in AI implementation. It's crucial to follow ethical guidelines in policy-making and address potential biases in AI systems, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.

?

3. Continuous Learning and Adaptation:

- Jeffrey Schnapp, Carl A. Pescosolido Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, Chair of the Department of Comparative Literature (FAS), and Faculty co-director of Berkman Center for Internet and Society (HLS), emphasized the importance of continuous learning. The workplace is evolving rapidly, with 38% of necessary skills changing in the last five years. Leaders must promote a culture of "Learn-Unlearn-Upskill" to keep their teams adaptable and prepared for the future.

?

4. Ethical Considerations:

- As AI becomes more integrated into education, ethical concerns arise. Ethan Mollick, Associate Professor of Management and Academic Director at Wharton Interactive, UPenn, emphasized the importance of ethical AI use and posed the question of how we measure AI's impact on improving education. Leaders must navigate these ethical waters to harness AI effectively.

?

5. Embracing a Digital Mindset:

- Tsedal Neeley, Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research at Harvard Business School, and author of "The Digital Mindset: What It Really Takes to Thrive in the Age of Data, Algorithms, and AI," stressed the need for a digital mindset and continued learning. Leaders should not fear technology but embrace it, fostering a mindset of adaptation and ongoing education.

?

Moreover, the conference included a demonstration of Harvard's Generative AI Sandbox tool, which offers exciting possibilities for academia. Emily Bottis, Managing Director Academic Technology at Harvard University; Sebastian Schmidt Dalzon, Assistant Dean for Academic and Strategic Planning at GSD; and Mitchell B. Weiss were among those who discussed the tool. Users can explore large language models through a user-friendly interface, emphasizing the importance of AI experimentation in education.

?

In the afternoon plenary, Alan Garber, Provost of Harvard University, Amanda Claybaugh, Dean of Undergraduate Education and Samuel Zemurray, Jr. and Doris Zemurray Stone Radcliffe Professor of English at FAS, and Tsedal Neeley discussed the future of AI in higher education. Alan Garber emphasized that AI's true potential in education lies in collaboration. No single university can drive significant change alone. It's essential to create communities focused on teaching and learning and administrative processes, enabling the sharing of innovative AI-driven educational materials.

?

Amanda Claybaugh highlighted the importance of inclusivity and ensuring non-tech-savvy students aren't left behind in the AI revolution. Tsedal Neeley advocated for developing a digital mindset and embracing technology's transformative potential.

?

In conclusion, the HILT conference illuminated the evolving landscape of education in the age of AI. It's clear that leaders must prioritize critical thinking, equity, continuous learning, ethics, and a digital mindset to harness AI's full potential in education. The future of education is promising, but it requires leadership and collaboration to thrive.

?

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we navigate the exciting intersection of leadership and AI in education. #HILTConference #AIinEducation #LeadershipInAI #HBS

Not bad at all! I wonder what others would get if they did the same with their own notes and their own questions...

Karina Grazina, HBS Leadership Initiative