The National Science Foundation has launched a broad new program to make it easier for research groups to access the computing power and AI models needed to advance the field. Marquee Silicon Valley players like OpenAI, Meta and Nvidia have pledged cloud and infrastructure credits, while public agencies such as NASA, the Pentagon and NIH will provide hands-on tutorials and datasets.
AI For Everyone such as ChatGPT can produce what one commentator described as “a solid A-” essay on comparing nationalism theories from Benedict Anderson and Ernest Gellner in just ten seconds, while generative art models such as DALL-E (named after a mash-up of Salvador Dali’s paintings and the Pixar robot WALL-E) can paint, write code or create videos on demand. Incorporating these and other AI writing tools into assignments can give students valuable experiences with the limitations, strengths and pitfalls of these technologies.
Navigating the AI Landscape: Click Here for a Comprehensive Guide to Essential Resources
Image recognition: AI can analyze images and generate alternative text descriptions to help people who are blind or visually impaired. Adobe Sensei includes this capability, as do other image-focused AI tools. Captioning: AI can be used to automatically caption audio and video content to make it more accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Tools such as NaturalReader and Automatic Sync Technologies use this technology.
As these and other AI tools become more widely available, faculty are designing assignments that ask students to use them to develop syllabi or written work. These assignments require careful analysis of a variety of sources, and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities has created faculty resources on how to incorporate these technologies into course syllabi.