When ChatGPT first launched in 2022, the Office of Innovation and Digital Excellence for Academic Success (IDEAS) knew it was time to figure out ways to leverage the use of AI in higher education.
AI, or artificial intelligence, is the ability of computer systems to problem solve, make decisions and understand language — things that typically require human intelligence. AI has grown quickly to include image and video generation, planning, decision making and vision and motor control for robotics and autonomous vehicles.
It exists in daily activities from voice assistants like Alexa and Siri to the algorithms on streaming platforms and to industries like health care, manufacturing, engineering and agriculture where AI improves efficiency, logistics and more.
“On a basic level, we understand that AI is not going away," said Dr. Bryan Berrett, director of the Office of IDEAS. "Our ability to keep pace, to keep up, to keep informed — it’s going to be critical to support our faculty and students.”
To prepare for AI, Fresno State’s Office of IDEAS started training faculty in spring 2023, then worked with the California State University Chancellor’s Office on systemwide training with Fresno State instruction designers Jason McGensy and William Hardaway designing programs and leading the charge. Then, the office offered AI for Professionals — training for staff and alumni across the CSU system.
In fall 2023, the Division of Academic Affairs led a campuswide AI Task Force with more than 40 members — including Technology Services, faculty and others — to take a look at what was happening on campus already and to develop university guidelines to govern the ethical use of AI at Fresno State.
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