Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days in entertainment,
finance, healthcare, and education. Widespread deployment of powerful,
fluent generative AI systems has raised new questions about our roles,
our expectations, and even our identities as educators. When does AI
serve as an aid to learning, and when is it a shortcut? What are some of
the long-term impacts of AI over-reliance? Can students use AI and
still be critical thinkers? Let’s talk about how we can make informed
decisions about when (and whether) to use this technology in and out of
the classroom. We’ll discuss what AI is, how it manifests in the
classroom and in our daily lives, and some common issues. Come with your
questions and concerns so we can learn from each other!
Dr. Kiri Wagstaff is an artificial intelligence researcher, educator,
and Special Advisor on Artificial Intelligence for the Oregon State
University Libraries. She previously served as a principal researcher at
the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with a focus on deploying machine
learning systems that help us explore, understand, and learn about the
universe. She recently spent a year as an AI subject matter expert in
the U.S. Senate through the AAAS Science and Technology Policy
Fellowship program. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from
Cornell University, followed by an M.S. in Geological Sciences
(University of Southern California) and an MLIS in Library and
Information Science (San Jose State University). She received the Lew
Allen Award for Excellence in Research and two NASA Exceptional
Technology Achievement Medals. She is passionate about empowering people
to make informed decisions about when and how to use AI in their daily
lives.
