The concern over AI usurping human functions and activities continues to grow. A recent article in The Economist lays out how AIs like ChatGPT could replace many white collar employees such as telemarketers, traders and even teachers. Indeed, some of the sectors that will be most impacted include securities and commodity traders, insurance carriers, data processing and hosting, publishing, and believe it or not, monetary authorities and central banks (this one is actually quite amusing as many people feel central banks have computer like personalities anyway). In terms of the least impacted sectors, after a century of automation, it is the revenge of the blue collar workers as the least impact of AI will be in areas like agriculture and forestry, woods products, mining, and food and drink services. Most exposed are industries which rely on programming and writing skills or what is sometimes termed the creative class. Indeed, teachers especially those in literature, languages and history are also expected to be heavily affected.
In the university sector, never one to shirk from the fad of the day, one suspects that there may indeed be a push towards AI instruction and course provision especially in subjects deemed heavy in language intensity. It will certainly be interesting to see how all of this evolves over the next decade and whether there will indeed be a substitution of AI instructors and course managers for in person teaching in a range of subjects. Of course, the use of AI need not apply only to faculty. University administration is also language intensive and rule driven and one could easily conceive situations where universities dispense with administrators and replace them with semi-sentient AIs that devise, apply and enforce assorted rules for both students and faculty. Try arguing with the AI for an assignment extension or sabbatical leave. However, the cost savings would probably be significant given that nearly two thirds of university budgets these days are not directly faculty/teaching related. Even assorted adjudication processes at a university such as university tenure committees could theoretically be done by an AI. Indeed, the committees would be tireless and would always have quorum. It would be a brave new world indeed.
Looking for an example of how AI can be applied to language intensive university administrative processes? I asked one of the AIs that I use to provide me with the executive summary of the quintessential university administrative slog – the strategic plan. No university was named, so it is applicable to all. Here is what I got:
ME: Draft me an executive summary of a five year university strategic plan that encompasses academic excellence, diversity and inclusiveness, innovation and research excellence.
AI: Executive Summary
This five-year strategic plan outlines the vision, goals, and objectives that
will guide the university's growth and development in areas of academic
excellence, diversity and inclusiveness, innovation, and research excellence.
The plan focuses on enhancing the university's profile as a leading institution
of higher education, which is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive
environment for all students, faculty, and staff.
Academic Excellence
The plan emphasizes academic excellence, which is at the core of the
university's mission. To achieve this goal, the university will focus on
providing innovative, high-quality academic programs designed to meet the needs
of the current and future job markets. The university will also evaluate and
enhance its teaching methods, assessment practices, and curriculum to achieve
academic rigor and reflective of modern pedagogy.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
The plan recognizes that diversity and inclusiveness is a strength that
enhances the university's educational experience. To create a diverse and
inclusive community, the university will champion efforts to recruit, retain,
and support underrepresented student groups and faculty members. The university
will also prioritize anti-bias training and provide resources to foster an
inclusive and equitable campus for all.
Innovation
To promote innovation, the university will leverage the resources of the
institution to support initiatives that spur entrepreneurship, creativity, and
industry partnerships. The university will invest in technology and research
infrastructure to improve its innovation capabilities and promote a culture of
invention and commercialization.
Research Excellence
The university aims to be a leading institution in research excellence. The
plan outlines objectives to promote research collaboration, increase funding,
and support the recruitment of high-impact researchers. The university will
establish interdisciplinary research initiatives that foster innovative
discoveries and contribute to societal and economic development.
In conclusion, this five-year strategic plan is designed to strengthen the
university's commitment to academic excellence, diversity and inclusiveness,
innovation, and research excellence. Through these efforts, the
university will attract and retain top talent, enhance its reputation, and
advance the social and economic well-being of the local and global communities.
Can you tell the difference? Will we be able to tell the difference between a class well-taught in person by a knowledgeable and versatile human being with social skills and a faceless AI? Maybe. Will we ultimately be able to tell the difference between a university administrative process done by humans or an AI? I think we all know the answer to that.
