Staying Ahead in AI: A Deep Dive with Dr. Claire Brady and Jaime Hunt

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, staying on top of technological advancements like AI is crucial. In a recent episode of the "Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO" podcast, host Jaime Hunt and guest Dr. Claire Brady dive deep into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in higher education. This episode, titled "Revolutionzing Campus Life with AI" offers valuable insights and actionable strategies for education professionals.

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Leveraging Networks and Resources

Dr. Claire Brady emphasizes the importance of leveraging professional networks to stay updated with AI developments. With 25 years of experience in student affairs, she actively engages with her peers and vendor partners to gather insights and share best practices. She also moderates a LinkedIn group called "AI in Higher Education," encouraging professionals to join and contribute to discussions on AI use cases and innovations.

Dr. Brady's dedication to collecting information for NASPA and Strata highlights the effort required to stay informed. At the NASPA National Conference, she noted the limited focus on AI, with only a handful of sessions dedicated to the topic. Despite this, she persevered, seeking out pioneering use cases and sharing her findings to inspire others.

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Drawing Inspiration from Healthcare

Dr. Brady looks to the healthcare industry for inspiration, particularly in handling ethical issues such as patient privacy and confidentiality. She believes that higher education can learn from healthcare’s advancements in predictive and prescriptive analytics, which can be adapted to improve student support services. By addressing concerns like cheating and data privacy, higher education institutions can make informed decisions about integrating AI tools.

The healthcare industry’s approach to overcoming challenges can serve as a model for higher education. For example, the focus on patient confidentiality and cybersecurity in healthcare can be mirrored in higher education to address concerns about student data privacy and ethical AI use.

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Encouraging AI Exploration

Jaime Hunt discusses the importance of fostering a culture of AI exploration within institutions. She emphasizes the need to overcome intimidation and ethical concerns associated with AI tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney. By providing training and encouraging staff to experiment with these tools, institutions can better prepare their teams for the future.

Hunt shares her experience at the Element 451 Engage Summit, where she spoke about promoting a culture of AI exploration. She highlights the need to address the learning curve and ethical considerations associated with AI, encouraging professionals to continue experimenting and learning from each other.

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Practical AI Applications

Dr. Brady shares practical AI applications that are making a difference in higher education. For instance, NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering uses virtual reality (VR) to engage and recruit women into their programs. By providing admitted students with a branded Google Cardboard and tailored VR apps, they have seen a significant increase in female enrollment.

Similarly, UC Berkeley and Mission College use Open Adaptive Tutoring (OA Tutor) to provide differentiated tutoring based on students’ prior learning. This open-source platform helps bridge skill gaps in subjects like math and chemistry, enhancing student learning outcomes.

Dr. Brady also mentions Virginia Commonwealth University's Climate Text Initiative, which uses AI to gauge student sentiment on various issues and respond with timely advisories. This innovative approach has resulted in high student engagement and valuable insights for the institution.

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The Future of AI in Higher Ed

Looking ahead, Dr. Brady is optimistic about the future of AI in higher education. She envisions greater integration of AI tools into existing systems like student information systems and learning management systems, streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing data analysis capabilities. This integration will help institutions achieve strategic goals related to student success, equity, and efficiency.

Dr. Brady emphasizes the need for a well-defined AI strategy, data governance, and AI literacy among staff. By adopting frameworks like Complete College America's "Do Now, Do Soon, Work Towards," institutions can prioritize AI initiatives and make informed decisions about AI implementation.

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Key Takeaways

• Leveraging professional networks and resources is crucial for staying updated with AI advancements in higher education.
• Drawing inspiration from industries like healthcare can help address ethical and privacy concerns in AI use.
• Encouraging a culture of AI exploration and providing training can help overcome intimidation and ethical concerns.
• Practical AI applications, such as VR for student engagement and adaptive tutoring, are making a significant impact in higher education.
• The future of AI in higher education lies in greater integration with existing systems, streamlined administrative tasks, and enhanced data analysis capabilities.
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Listen + Learn More

For more in-depth insights and actionable strategies, listen to the full episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO with Jaime Hunt and Dr. Claire Brady on the Enrollify Podcast Network. Stay ahead of the curve and explore how AI can transform your institution. Join the conversation and share your experiences with AI in higher education on LinkedIn and other professional networks.