My New Q&A Series—on Innovation in Higher Ed and the Workforce—Begins with a Focus on AI and Columbia University

In my ongoing conversations with thought leaders across higher ed, tech, and business, one particular theme continues to ring loud and clear: Now is the time to embrace AI, not fear it .?

Take a moment to reflect on major tech disruptions throughout history and you’ll see they’ve always had a democratizing effect on society. The calculator, for example, democratized numeracy. The internet has democratized memory and recall. And more recently, massive open online courses (MOOCs) have democratized access to high-quality education.?

Today, AI is in the process of democratizing writing literacy along with people’s ability to generate ideas, automate tasks, and make data-driven decisions more efficiently and effectively. At the 2023 edX Global Forum earlier this month, that was the crux of an insightful panel discussion I moderated about innovations that are helping to maximize the learning and teaching experience.?

One of the experts on that panel was my good friend Soulaymane Kachani , the Senior Vice Provost at Columbia University. Columbia is one of edX’s many cutting-edge partners that offer a range of innovative online programs on the platform, including several that help learners build and master their skills in AI.

Following our Global Forum, I connected with Soulaymane to dig even deeper into the topic of AI. As part of our conversation, I was eager to get his take on some of the findings from edX’s recent report on Navigating the Workplace in the Age of AI , which highlights the increasing importance of AI skills in today’s workforce.?

Here are the highlights from our chat—which also kicks off a new series of Q&As I plan to have on my LinkedIn with other leaders from the edX partner network and beyond:

Soulaymane, it was great connecting with you at edX Global Forum on all things AI and its impact on the future of education and work! But let’s turn back the clock a bit as a starting point to our Q&A. As a professor and colleague, what was your initial gut reaction when you first realized the capabilities of generative AI, particularly for teaching and learning??

It was a mix of excitement and caution. The opportunities for teaching and learning with generative AI are indeed immense. We need to ensure that our faculty, researchers, students, and staff are able to fully leverage these tools while understanding their shortcomings and the risks associated with them. There are issues around privacy and intellectual property, as well as factual accuracy and bias that we have to be careful about.

My initial reaction was similar—and I absolutely agree! We’ll touch on some of those concerns a little later in our chat. But since we’re both dreamers here, let’s think “blue sky” for a moment. What possibilities do you imagine for AI in teaching and learning?

The possibilities for using generative AI are almost limitless. We have the potential to revolutionize how we approach personalized learning at scale. AI can analyze students’ preparation, abilities, needs, and goals and allow for tailored learning pathways that cater to their unique requirements. This will not only enhance engagement but also foster an inclusive learning environment that accommodates diverse learning styles and paces. AI will also enhance digital accessibility, including text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and image recognition, hence ensuring greater access.?

On an administrative side, AI can be used to automate tasks like grading, scheduling, and communication among faculty and learners, as well as update and upgrade courses and curricula. And on a broader scale, AI can assist academic institutions with making data-driven decisions to enhance overall learning outcomes.?

Yes, I think we’re only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the opportunities AI presents. So, what obstacles do you foresee needing to be overcome in higher ed to make those possibilities more of a reality and less fearsome?

First, there is the challenge of adapting educational systems to integrating AI tools seamlessly. Institutions that operate within conventional frameworks may be resistant to change. This requires fostering a shift in institutional culture and faculty training—ensuring that instructors understand AI’s benefits. We need to assuage concerns about algorithmic bias and the displacement of jobs and responsibilities.

Second, we have to address concerns about data privacy and security when adapting these tools. Institutions must establish and enforce comprehensive data protection policies, adhere to ethical guidelines, and maintain transparent communication with students about data usage.?

And most importantly, we need to make sure that AI tools do not exacerbate existing inequalities. It is essential to develop AI solutions that are inclusive, address digital divides, provide equal opportunities for all learners, and align with learning objectives.?

Could you share some examples of how Columbia University is tackling the advent of AI in education? And what role do you think AI can play in increasing access to quality education, enhancing students’ overall learning experience, and driving meaningful outcomes?

Our Center for Teaching and Learning has collected stories from faculty across Columbia about how instructors have leveraged AI in their teaching—such as using ChatGPT to develop students’ coding capabilities—but we know we are just at the beginning of understanding the implications and full potential of this. Creating space for this conversation is a first step to ensure we can learn from these emerging technologies and each other.

In terms of increasing access to quality education and driving meaningful outcomes, AI tools can help teachers prepare for more effective instruction by simulating difficult student questions, anticipating areas of confusion, and providing real-time feedback.

I think that speaks to the notion that, no matter how advanced we get with AI, there will always be a critical need for human connection and support in education. At edX, we’ve developed our own guiding principles for the responsible use of AI to ensure this. At Columbia, how are you keeping the “human element” a priority in the work you’re doing with AI?

The Provost’s Working Group on Generative AI at Columbia is tasked by Interim Provost Dennis Mitchell to develop guidelines on the use and procurement of generative AI tools by Columbia students, faculty, researchers, and staff. This group is reviewing existing university policy and building on that to incorporate AI considerations, developing an infrastructure and understanding we can rely on as we move forward in a world with these tools.

It’s assuring to hear so many of us in higher ed are thinking the same way. Now let’s turn our focus to the connection between academia and the workplace. How do you see Columbia adapting to ensure learners are equipped with the necessary AI skills to thrive in the job market?

It is important to consider the impact of AI not just on tech and engineering jobs, but also how it will impact all types of work.

On the non-credit lifelong learning front, Columbia Engineering recently launched an AI boot camp and AI MicroBootCamp ? in partnership with edX. Learners in these online boot camps will build proficiency to meet the growing demand in AI, including learning skills in Python, unsupervised and supervised machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing, chatbots, and many more topics.?

Yes, both of those programs are exciting additions to the edX platform! They’re going to help learners from a variety of backgrounds increase their skills in AI, which was a key focus in our recent AI report .? As you know, the report—which surveyed 800 C-Suite executives and 800 knowledge workers—indicates that AI has the potential to redefine various job roles, including those at the executive and CEO level. For example, 49% of CEOs believe that AI should replace most if not all of the CEO role. So, how do YOU envision AI changing the landscape of higher ed administration and leadership roles in the coming years, including your own?

AI will undoubtedly enhance teaching and learning, accelerate research, and improve administrative processes of our institutions. We are going to witness tremendous productivity growth across disciplines, industries, and functions, and a faster pace of innovation and research breakthroughs.?

At edX, we recently launched an AI resource page that brings together various insights, advice, and educational opportunities for different kinds of learners. For your final thoughts, what advice would you offer to both employees and leaders, regarding how to approach the promise and opportunity of AI in a business setting?

First, and most importantly, be ethical. Be intentional about understanding data privacy and ethical considerations of data collection and usage. Always prioritize the privacy and security of personal data and adhere to your institution’s guidelines and regulations.

For business leaders—understand the purpose of implementing AI tools. Think strategically about the tasks you’re executing and make sure the tools align with your objectives. Clearly define how AI will support your organization’s goals. And keep up-to-date with advancements—the field is evolving rapidly and staying informed ensures you can leverage the latest tools and practices to best benefit your organizations.

Readers—now it’s YOUR turn. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for AI to transform the way we learn and work? Share your perspective with Soulaymane and me in the comments below!?