{"id":11449,"date":"2024-09-30T08:28:52","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T12:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/design-center\/?page_id=11449"},"modified":"2024-11-04T10:30:34","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T15:30:34","slug":"artificial-intelligence-faculty-digest","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/design-center\/artificial-intelligence-faculty-digest\/","title":{"rendered":"Artificial Intelligence: Faculty Digest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to\u00a0Faculty Digest<\/strong>, your go-to resource for insightful reviews on the latest podcasts, interviews, videos, and books in the field of artificial intelligence. Designed specifically for faculty, our platform aims to keep you informed and inspired with the most current and relevant content. Whether you\u2019re looking to integrate new AI concepts into your curriculum, stay updated on cutting-edge research, or simply expand your knowledge, Faculty Digest offers comprehensive reviews and recommendations.<\/p>\n

Faculty are invited to contribute reviews and recommendations for books, videos, and podcasts!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Book Spotlight<\/h2>\n

About Co-Intelligence<\/h3>\n

Co-intelligence, the New York Times bestseller by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, offers a comprehensive guide for navigating the AI-driven world. Mollick, known for his One Useful Thing<\/em> newsletter, recognized the significance of ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022\u2014a pivotal moment where AI began to mimic human creativity and innovation. In his book, Mollick explores the concept of “co-intelligence,” urging us to collaborate with AI as a partner in work and education. He challenges readers to harness AI’s potential responsibly, ensuring it enhances rather than diminishes our humanity.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGenerative AI has an oracle, and his name is Ethan Mollick. Lucky you: our oracle has written a lucid, succinct, and eminently practical guide to navigating the revolution that is right now unfolding at an astonishing pace.\u00a0Co-Intelligence<\/em>\u00a0is the very best book I know about the ins, outs, and ethics of generative AI. Drop everything and read it cover to cover NOW.\u201d
\n\u2014 Angela Duckworth<\/strong>,\u00a0New York Times<\/em>\u00a0bestselling author of\u00a0Grit\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEthan Mollick has been a leader with the hands-on exploration of AI\u2019s evolving capabilities. In\u00a0Co-Intelligence<\/em>, he masterfully navigates the landscape of AI advancements with insightful and informative commmentary, presented with remarkable clarity and precision. This book is an invaluable resource, offering a comprehensive gide to current trends and future expectations in AI. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this rapidly evolving technology.\u201d
\n\u2014 Eric Horvitz<\/strong>,\u00a0Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft<\/p>\n

\u201cIn today\u2019s cacophony of \u2018AI hot takes\u2019, Mollick has distinguished himself as the leading voice of reason on the implications of AI for work and education.\u00a0 Anyone seeking a basis of practical knowledge to understand the coming massive changes should read this insightful book right now.\u201d
\n\u2014\u00a0Reid Hoffman<\/strong>, Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Inflection AI<\/p>\n

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Review<\/h2>\n

Accessibility for Newcomers<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to AI (and who isn’t?), Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence<\/i> is a must-read.<\/p>\n

Do you truly grasp how transformer technology has revolutionized AI\u2019s ability to \u201cthink\u201d contextually, or how weights and fine-tuning fundamentally shape the way AI models think and behave? Have you considered why alignment is a pivotal issue in the ongoing debate over AI\u2019s impact on society? Mollick excels at breaking down complex concepts, making it easier to grasp the deeper implications central to discussions about AI ethics and innovation. His clarity not only makes the book an excellent starting point for readers new to AI but also provides substantial depth for those already familiar with the technicalities.<\/p>\n

Mollick\u2019s Practical Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the book\u2019s strengths is its unapologetic focus on the practical applications of AI. While some critics might argue that Mollick does not engage deeply enough with the ethical dilemmas or regulatory challenges AI poses, it\u2019s important to evaluate the book on its own terms. Mollick is clear from the outset that his primary concern is not the philosophical or regulatory debates, but rather equipping the reader with the practical knowledge needed to engage with AI tools effectively. And in doing so, the engaged citizen will be doing more for the advancement of ethical concerns than those who remain on the sidelines.<\/p>\n

In other words, understanding AI\u2019s practical operations is crucial for grasping its ethical implications. He goes so far as to frame this engagement as a civic duty, stating, \u201cThe public needs education on AI so they can pressure for an aligned future as informed citizens.\u201d This concept of alignment is central to the book, and Mollick\u2019s definition is both practical and urgent: alignment refers to ensuring that AI systems are developed and used in ways that are beneficial to humanity. During training, AI models are fed large datasets that are curated to reflect ethical standards and avoid biases. The goal is to teach the AI to make decisions that align with human values, avoiding harmful or unintended consequences. Mollick contends that individual engagement with AI\u2014not just corporate or governmental oversight\u2014is essential for achieving this alignment.<\/p>\n

AI as a Creative Partner<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most compelling chapters in the book is “AI as a Creative,” where Mollick\u2019s expertise as an educator shines through. He effectively demonstrates how AI can augment human creativity rather than replace it, arguing that AI\u2019s true potential lies in its ability to enhance innovative and creative work. Mollick dismantles the anxiety around AI as a replacement for human labor by reframing the discussion: AI should be viewed not as a competitor but as a collaborator in the creative process \u2013 hence the title. After all, as innovation scholars point out, novelty \u2013 not originality \u2013 is the main ingredient in creativity: \u201cNew ideas do not come from the ether; they are based on existing concepts\u2026Breakthroughs often happen when people connect distant, seemingly unrelated ideas.\u201d And LLMs are connection machines.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Urgency of Engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mollick emphasizes that we cannot afford to wait for consensus on the existential risks of AI before taking action: \u201cWaiting to make these choices until the debate on existential risk is over means that those choices will be made for us.\u201d This sense of urgency underscores the book\u2019s call to action: readers must engage with AI now if they want to have a say in how it shapes our future. He reinforces this argument through a series of compelling examples that illustrate the rapid pace of AI development and its growing impact on various aspects of society. One particularly striking example he uses is the deployment of AI in legal systems, where algorithms are being employed to predict recidivism rates and assist judges in making sentencing decisions. The technology is already in use, and its influence is growing. Thus, if individuals and society do not actively participate in shaping how AI is developed and implemented, they risk having these decisions made for them by a few entities with their own priorities.<\/p>\n

This approach serves to dismantle the misconception that AI is only of concern to experts or tech companies. Mollick’s examples illustrate that AI touches nearly every aspect of daily life, making it imperative for a broader audience to understand and influence its trajectory.<\/p>\n

While some critics argue that his reliance on tangible examples and case studies might oversimplify the varied and complex realities of AI implementation across different sectors, this approach is actually one of the book\u2019s greatest strengths. By grounding his arguments in real-world scenarios, Mollick offers readers a concrete understanding of AI’s immediate impact and the urgency of their own involvement.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Co-Intelligence<\/em> empowers its readers not just to understand AI, but to actively participate in shaping its future\u2014a future that, as Mollick convincingly argues, cannot wait.<\/p>\n

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Video Spotlight<\/h2>\n

David Wiley, Ph.D.,<\/strong> is a distinguished advocate for open education and the Chief Academic Officer of Lumen Learning, where he drives initiatives to improve student success through open educational resources (OER). Dr. Wiley is currently in residence at Marshall University, where he continues his influential work in advancing accessible and affordable education. Known for his pioneering efforts in open content and open licensing, he has dedicated his career to making learning more accessible and effective for all.<\/p>\n

Dr. Wiley joined Mary Welch for a conversation<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>about the transformative potential\u00a0for generative AI in higher education. Acknowledging recent reports on\u00a0<\/strong>faculty tech burnout and AI hesitance<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0Dr. Wiley offers practical tips for getting started with generative AI. He also shares successful\u00a0projects enhancing educational equity, some surprising ways students interact with\u00a0AI, and the possibilities he\u2019s most excited about.<\/p>\n