As Susan Grajek concluded her presentation on Educause’s top 10 strategic trends for 2024, she jokingly pointed out that something important was missing from the list: generative AI. While AI ranked 13th on the list, Grajek, Educause’s VP of partnerships, communities, and research, acknowledged that it was so influential that it was considered an honorary topic. At Educause’s annual education conference in Chicago, AI was a major focus of discussion. It dominated many technology conversations due to the public debut of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022. Approximately one out of eight sessions at the conference centered around AI, marking a significant increase from the previous year. The consensus among attendees was one of cautious optimism towards AI. Many see it as a tool worth experimenting with despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding its implementation in higher education. Concerns were also voiced about the potential risks associated with AI, such as biased decision-making, reduced critical thinking, cybersecurity threats, misinformation, and deepfakes. However, despite these concerns, there was a recognition that institutions cannot ignore the potential of AI and must work towards leveraging it ethically and effectively. Some universities have already started incorporating AI into their operations, with examples ranging from using AI to provide technical advice and answer questions to utilizing AI as a co-pilot for learners and employees. The general consensus is that ongoing conversations about AI and its responsible implementation are crucial for institutions to adapt to this rapidly evolving technology.
