AI in Academia: Navigating the Future

Nathan Carter, Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Director of the Center for Analytics and Data Science at Bentley University, joins the podcast to share his current research on whether AI can accurately grade mathematical proofs and provide meaningful feedback to students. The conversation explores the challenges of precision, logic, and ethical concerns in AI-assisted grading, and considers broader implications for teaching, learning, and faculty development. Listeners will also gain insights from Bentley’s participation in the AAC&U Institute for AI in Pedagogy and Curriculum, including practical frameworks for evaluating and integrating AI tools in higher education.

Denny Hummer. assistant director of the Bucknell SBDC and Amber Guerrero, a business consultant at Bucknell SBDC discuss their roles in driving the use of AI among local entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania. They share their experiences with AI, including how it has transformed their work processes and improved efficiency. They emphasize the importance of AI in providing better service to clients and the need for students to learn and use AI tools effectively. The conversation highlights the evolution of AI in small business development, the integration of AI in educational settings, and the impact of AI on student internships and job roles.

Mareike Möhlmann, associate professor of computer information systems at Bentley University, discusses how her university has been working on guidelines and guidance for faculty around AI, what Uber tells us about the future of AI and work, and how to support digital literacy.

Dr. Dawn Edmiston, an award-winning Clinical Professor of Marketing at William & Mary (W&M) discusses the use of generative AI for personal branding and digital marketing, practical strategies, challenges, and ethical considerations for integrating AI in the classroom and online learning. She also dives into the importance of asking better questions, and how AI can support—not replace—human creativity and connection.

Karen Saxe and Courtney Gibbons, two math professors who moved into careers in public policy, discuss Congress’s response to AI, key legislation affecting AI literacy, ethical concerns and bias, AI’s role in teaching and research, the U.S. vs. EU approach to AI regulation, and how academics can engage in policy-making at the local and national levels. NOTE: This episode was recorded on September 10, 2024. As you will hear in our intro, our guests on this episode work on public policies and with the current changes in the administration some of the discussions you will hear may no longer apply. Our guest Courtney Gibbons lost her intermittent expert appointment at the NSF. Gary C. Peters is now ranking member of the committee I worked for (HSGAC).