Despite being one of the most transformative technologies of our time, implementing generative AI in higher education has been met with both excitement and apprehension. 

For many institutions, embracing AI technology feels daunting, not simply because of its technical complexity, but due to the cultural and operational challenges it introduces. 

Will AI tools replace jobs traditionally held by educators or support staff? 

Can content generated by AI be truly original, or can it infringe on intellectual property law and copyrights? 

These are just a few of the concerns many colleges and universities have as they explore the possibilities of this technology.

Due to concerns like these, many universities lack a cohesive strategy to implement generative AI across disciplines in their institutions. 

This siloed approach risks missing the transformative potential of generative AI to enhance creativity and collaboration across fields.

In this episode of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast, Jules White of Vanderbilt University addresses these concerns head-on. 

Drawing from his experience as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Generative AI, White offers a roadmap for institutions to overcome these hurdles. 

His insights provide not only reassurance but also inspiration, showing that with the right mindset and strategic planning, AI can become a partner in shaping the future of education.

Implementing Generative AI Requires an Interdisciplinary Approach

One of the primary challenges to implementing generative AI in our higher education institutions is the fact that the technology is by nature interdisciplinary. 

In our conversation, Jules identified how this becomes a sticking point for many higher ed professionals who are thinking of generative AI in a historically limited sense. 

The other thing that was problematic from my perspective is a class of institutions that said, “Generative AI is just AI. We’ve been doing AI for a long time, so we’ll just keep investing into computer science and the folks that are already doing AI.”

This approach can only see the potential and application of generative AI for computer scientists or IT professionals. 

Unfortunately, this way of thinking doesn’t capture what generative AI really is or what it can do for higher education institutions.

Jules lays it out plainly, “Generative AI is interdisciplinary.”

For Jules, generative AI is a game changer for all the disciplines in the university. 

It will change the English department as faculty, admins, and students rethink how they do things. In the same way, it will transform other disciplines like communications and nursing.

All of these spaces within the institution will be fundamentally transformed by generative AI. 

By relegating innovation to the computer science department or other technological programs within your school, you can miss out on the benefits of the technological revolution that is happening right now.

Generative AI is inherently interdisciplinary. So, we can’t just go invest more money into [computer science] or expect that because they were doing AI, that they have all jumped on the generative AI bandwagon. 

Generative AI is where the real excitement is in AI and will be for at least the next five to 10 years. 

But others don’t feel that way. A lot of the folks that were doing classic or traditional AI things in the past haven’t changed the way that they do things. 

So, that’s not going to help [institutions implement AI in an interdisciplinary way]. 

Implementing Generative AI Is About Training and Empowerment

According to Jules, the way you can leverage this exciting technology is to empower people across your school to find ways to integrate it into their workflows.

It’s about how do you empower people across your organization (across all your different disciplines) to figure out what is right and how you use it.

[Your people across disciplines should] also choose what are the things you’re not going to use it for. For example, it might not make sense pedagogically or some other reason. 

But you can only get there if you say as an institution, “We are going to engage, we are going to let everybody know that it’s okay [to use generative AI].”

Giving your people permission to experiment with generative AI and see what works and what doesn’t in their discipline is a crucial first step in implementing generative AI in your school.

Being ambivalent about this revolutionary technology isn’t an option because it’s quickly becoming a part of your people’s everyday life. 

And a top-down implementation model won’t work out well because of its massive potential uses.

Generative AI’s endless potential across disciplines makes it almost impossible for one team of computer scientists or IT professionals to decide how to use it correctly in each department.

This means that encouraging the various disciplines across your organization to experiment with generative AI and giving them generative AI training is the key to a proper implementation.

Vanderbilt’s Approach to Implementing Generative AI

Vanderbilt University is not just talking about AI—it’s actively using it to enhance teaching, research, and operations. 

One of the main strategies that Jules discusses in the podcast is how the university is integrating AI into the classroom. 

In particular, AI tools are being used to enhance student engagement by providing personalized learning experiences. 

This includes using AI-driven platforms to offer real-time feedback on student work, automate grading, and even assist in developing customized course materials.

“There’s a huge opportunity to take the AI tools that we already have, and adapt them in ways that can improve the accessibility of education,” Jules explains. 

By incorporating AI into the classroom, Vanderbilt is creating more dynamic learning environments that cater to the needs of individual students.

Another major focus at Vanderbilt is research. 

Generative AI is helping faculty and students generate new ideas, conduct experiments, and analyze data more efficiently. 

Jules emphasizes that AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data and generate insights is transforming research methodologies. 

“AI can help us not only speed up the process of discovery but also inspire new research questions that we might not have thought of otherwise.”

Additionally, Vanderbilt is leveraging AI to improve administrative functions, making processes like admissions, student services, and financial aid more efficient. 

By using AI for tasks like predictive analytics and automating routine tasks, the university is able to streamline operations, allowing staff to focus on more impactful work.

The Future of AI in Higher Education

Looking to the future, Jules is optimistic about the potential of AI in higher education, not just at Vanderbilt but across the entire sector. 

As AI technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for higher education are virtually limitless. 

Jules points out that future innovations could lead to even greater collaborations between students, faculty, and AI tools, where AI is seamlessly integrated into the daily academic experience. 

What we’re seeing at Vanderbilt is lots of use cases all across the university that are just unexpected. Certain things are expected, like all kinds of text driven workflows around documents and policies and help with expense reporting. 

But I think we also see the future in the classroom.

We have a lot of faculty who are probably in the fall going to be piloting AI assistants that have all the class materials.

The faculty member will craft the AI assistant so that it supports learning in the classroom. 

There are many things that are going to be happening all across the space as well as content creation for faculty members themselves.

I agree with Jules. We’re just scratching the surface when it comes to implementing generative AI in higher education. 

AI will continue to evolve, and the ways it can enhance the educational experience will keep expanding. 

If we’re wise, we as higher ed leaders will stay ahead of that curve and ensure that we’re fostering an environment where AI is used responsibly, creatively, and ethically.

For more information on how Vanderbilt is leveraging AI in their school, listen to our full episode on The Higher Ed Marketer podcast!

Generative AI Training for Your Team

Want to get ahead of the curve and leverage the endless potential of generative AI in your school?

At Caylor Solutions, we would love to help you through our generative AI training services. 

One impactful training service is our 6-hour Generative AI Masterclass. 

Another way we can come alongside you is through our keynote speaking service where we come in to teach your team how they can best implement AI technology in their discipline. 

Every school is different – that’s why we offer a variety of generative AI training options. 

To explore how we can help you find your edge through implementing generative AI at your school, contact us today!

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Featured image via vanderbilt.edu