Spring AI at UB Forum outlines Generative AI Task Force recommendations

The university community gathered on March 12 for the spring AI at UB Forum, the latest in an ongoing series of events designed to inform faculty and staff about the evolving role of generative AI in education.

The focus of this forum was to share the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Generative AI Task Force, formed by Graham Hammill, vice provost for academic affairs.

Hammill kicked off the forum by presenting an overview of the task force’s plans and recommendations. He shared that the strategic goals of the implementation plan are to:

• Support the integration of generative AI into teaching across UB.
• Develop policies, curriculum and assessments that promote safe and ethical use of generative AI in teaching and learning.
• Communicate successes broadly.
• Provide guidance on issues related to compliance and regulation.

Hamill also outlined the progress being made in applying generative AI in teaching and learning since spring 2023, including:

• The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are collaborating to create the Department of AI and Society, and several new programs.
• AI was addressed in the university’s Academic Integrity Policy and included in the Academic Integrity Remediation Course.
• The AI seed grant program to fund applications of AI to learning is in its second round.
• The Explore AI Initiative was launched to help faculty explore AI tools and how they might use them in teaching.
• An AI literacy course for faculty, staff and students is in development.

“I want to thank the executive sponsors, subcommittee chairs and committee members for their work on the implementation plan recommendations,” Hammill said. “UB continues to make great strides in supporting faculty who want to integrate AI into their teaching. The collaborative work of the task force and implementation committees will help guide our proactive approach, which is grounded in the core values of academic integrity, innovative teaching and student success.”

Following Hammill’s presentation, each Generative AI Task Force subcommittee chair expanded on their committee’s recommendations.

Integration of Pedagogical and Technical Support
Rachael Hageman Blair, associate director for education, Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and associate professor, School of Public Health and Health Professions, shared the committee’s key recommendations for implementation:

• Faculty training on AI tools and usage.
• Initiatives to support faculty exploration of generative AI tools.
• Guidance on preferred AI tools.
• Training to support the responsible use of generative AI.

Academic Policy, Curriculum and Assessment
John Panepinto, professor and senior associate dean for biomedical education, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, chaired the Academic Policy, Curriculum and Assessment Committee, shared the committee’s key recommendations for implementation:

• University-wide policy on safe and ethical use of generative AI.
• Integration of professional society and discipline-specific guidelines into policy.
• Develop department standards for incorporating AI into the curriculum to address the changing career landscape.
• Assessment of the efficacy of AI-enabled pedagogy.
• Consider mandatory AI literacy and ethics training for faculty and students.

Compliance and Regulation

John Beatty, faculty scholarship outreach librarian, School of Law, shared the committee’s key recommendations for implementation:

Guidance for faculty

• Intellectual property issues.
• State, national and international regulations related to AI.

Guidance for faculty and students

• Data security and privacy issues.
• HIPAA and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification compliance.

Internal and External Engagement

Dawn Reed assistant vice provost of marketing, communications and digital engagement, Academic Affairs, shared the committee’s key recommendations for implementation:

• Align and maximize university and unit communication strategies.
• Cultivate an AI-enhanced mindset.
• Showcase AI innovation in teaching and learning.
• Empower stakeholders with an AI resource hub.

Learn more about each committee’s members, proposed partner offices and implementation steps on the AI Task Force Implementation Report website.

Mara Huber, senior director of the Instructional Innovation and Transformation team in the Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation, outlined how CATT is engaging faculty in exploring and integrating innovative practices. More information on these ongoing developments — including AI office hours, learning events, opportunities to innovate, additional learning resources and request for individual support — can be found on the CATT website.

Bruce Pitman, professor, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, wrapped up the conversation by reiterating the need for UB to lead the future of AI in the classroom and the role of faculty in guiding students to use the technology ethically. Pitman led the yearlong, campuswide initiative that begun in 2023 to explore the possible uses of generative AI in the classroom that led to the formation of these implantation recommendations.

Once the presentation concluded, participants were invited to a reception, where they were encouraged to ask questions, explore and interact with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, MidJourney and CoPilot, led by CATT staff.

"The work of the AI task force has been outstanding,” said Heath Tuttle, vice president and chief information officer. “Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping UB’s approach to AI technology, services and support. As we continue to learn about the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its impact on higher education, I’m excited for UB to collaborate in building an ecosystem that empowers our students, faculty and staff,” Tuttle said.

“Together, we will ensure UB remains at the forefront of innovation and responsible AI integration.”

Added Joanne McLaughlin, chair of the Faculty Senate’s Academic Policies and Grading Committee: “We are aware of the fast-evolving role of generative AI in the workplace, but what is challenging is the limited understanding of how to effectively prepare our students in the classroom to use these tools well and responsibly. These recommendations prepared by the Generative AI Task Force are useful and timely in light of these challenges.”