Knowledge is a commodity, experience is not

Is there a long-term future for universities in the age of artificial intelligence?

In November 2022, university and college administrators were caught off guard when OpenAI released ChatGPT. The sudden arrival of this powerful generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) posed a significant challenge to higher education, potentially even greater than the COVID-19 pandemic that had shut down campuses and forced a shift to online learning just a few years earlier.

Gen AI introduced complexities that disrupted traditional methods of delivering academic content, assessing student competencies, and conducting other foundational academic practices that had remained essentially unchanged for centuries. The rapid evolution of this technology also presented the possibility that online learning platforms, such as Coursera , could leverage these tools to an extent that might challenge the role and relevance of universities.

This led to a wave of concern that traditional higher education might face an existential threat. Would university campuses and the role of professors become obsolete in the face of advancing AI?

The answer depends on how academic institutions respond to this shift. If universities and those involved in higher education do not adapt to accommodate and integrate the growing capabilities of generative AI, these fears could become a reality. However, there is a pathway forward that can ensure the relevance and vitality of higher education.

The mission of universities extends beyond simply delivering curriculum; it is to make their learners “robot-proof.” This is the central argument of Dr. Joseph Aoun in his book Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence . Dr. Aoun emphasizes that while knowledge can be accessed from countless sources, experience cannot be replicated or commodified in the same way.

Universities must pivot to offer experiences that cannot be provided by even the most advanced AI or digital platform. These experiences include the warmth of human interactions, the empathy expressed through acts of kindness, the confidence-building impact of shared stories of courage and principle, the insights gained from job placements and internships, and countless other human-centric engagements. These are the elements that differentiate universities and will keep them relevant for generations to come.

The lesson for higher education is clear: focus on nurturing experiences that AI cannot emulate. In a world where knowledge can be obtained from any device connected to the internet, the irreplaceable value of universities lies in fostering connections, building resilience, and developing well-rounded, adaptable individuals who can thrive in an age dominated by technology.

For those interested or involved in higher education, Robot-Proof by Dr. Joseph E. Aoun is a must-read. It offers essential insights on how to prepare for, and flourish in, an era increasingly defined by artificial intelligence.