Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries and changing the ways we learn and work. I’ve had personal discussions with colleagues and friends about how AI is cementing itself in our everyday lives, and I am sure many of you do, as well.
The integration of AI in higher education and the workplace offers solutions, for example, that streamline processes, enhance decision-making and provide many new opportunities for growth and development.
In higher education, AI is altering the landscape of traditional classrooms and online learning platforms. From personalized learning experiences to predictive analytics that identify at-risk students, universities and colleges use AI to cater to diverse learning needs and improve educational outcomes. In the professional world, AI automates routine tasks and assists in complex problem-solving, resulting in increased efficiency and innovation.
With that said, there is this noise going on about how AI is in position to take people’s jobs. The reality is AI is not viewed as a threat by the majority. When thinking about AI in the workplace, U.S. adults believe about 36% of jobs could be replaced by AI tools, according to a University of Phoenix study. But that does not mean adults are fully comfortable with using AI – only 35% of adults are comfortable with integrating AI tools into their work or school. The main reason is they have concerns about its accuracy.
When AI systems produce inaccurate results, it undermines confidence, stirring skepticism and hesitancy toward adopting AI solutions. This erosion of trust can have far-reaching consequences, especially in professional settings where errors can be costly, or in education, where inaccuracies can affect academic progress.
The ramifications of inaccuracies in AI are profound. Inaccurate recommendations can lead to wasted resources, from time and effort to financial investments. The potential for AI to perpetuate biases present in training data is a concern, particularly in areas like hiring, which could lead to discrimination.
“AI is not perfect, and we need people to monitor and correct the output of AI tools as it evolves,” said Marc Booker, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Strategy. “Because AI is constantly evolving, it important to have adaptable and skilled employees with a broad understanding of multiple topic areas to appropriately handle the changes that AI will bring.”
Expanding on what Booker says, taking a cautious stance toward AI adoption serves the dual purpose of enhancing organizational effectiveness and fostering greater acceptance of AI in the workplace or in higher education. This approach avoids the risk of organizations heavily investing in AI prematurely and instead promotes positive results.
Workers witness the advantages of these tools as they positively impact their job performance or academics, affording them additional time to concentrate on activities that contribute significant value.
“At University of Phoenix, we see AI like any other new tool that has entered the arena of advancing knowledge acquisition with the ability to enhance a student’s access to data and information to gain comprehension and competency more quickly,” said Booker. “AI tools have the potential to do great good."
Edited by
Alex Passett
