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Graham Hammill kicked off the forum by presenting an overview of the task force’s plans and recommendations. Photo: Douglas Levere
By GRACE GERASS
Published March 17, 2025
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:
Hamill also outlined the progress being made in applying generative AI in teaching and learning since spring 2023, including:
“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.
Bruce Pitman 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. Photo: Douglas Levere
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:
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:
Compliance and Regulation
John Beatty, faculty scholarship outreach librarian, School of Law, shared the committee’s key recommendations for implementation:
Guidance for faculty
Guidance for faculty and students
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:
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.
Mara Huber moderates a panel discussion. Panel members are, from left, Rachael Hageman Blair, John Beatty, Dawn Reed and John Panepinto. Photo: Douglas Levere
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.”