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The Future of Equitable AI in Higher Education: Addressing Systemic Inequities and Promoting Inclusivity

The Future of Equitable AI in Higher Education: Addressing Systemic Inequities and Promoting Inclusivity

Introduction to the Council on Equitable AI

In 2024, Complete College America (CCA) established the Council on Equitable AI to address systemic inequities in higher education as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform various sectors. The council’s objective is to ensure that AI technologies are developed and implemented to promote inclusivity and do not reinforce existing disparities. This effort highlights the increasing significance of AI in educational environments, particularly concerning student achievement.

Composition of the Council

The Council on Equitable AI includes representatives from historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and colleges serving Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities. This diverse representation reflects a collective effort from educational organizations that serve historically marginalized groups.

Equity in AI Development

According to CCA, equitable AI extends beyond concerns regarding mis-trained data. The outcomes associated with AI integration will hinge on how educational institutions adopt these technologies, the priorities set by AI vendors, and the involvement of historically underrepresented voices. The council advocates for collaboration among policymakers, technologists, and funding organizations to prioritize equity in AI adoption.

Enhancing Student Outcomes

CCA aims to improve educational attainment for underrepresented students by incorporating their perspectives into the design of new technologies. With deliberate implementation, CCA posits that AI has the potential to bolster existing initiatives targeting student success.

Risks Associated with AI in Admissions

Generative AI is identified as a potent tool for enhancing completion rates in higher education. However, CCA warns that inadequate oversight may exacerbate existing educational inequities. Differences in resource availability between affluent institutions and underfunded community colleges, as well as the effects of racial and socioeconomic biases on admissions decisions, are highlighted as critical concerns.

AI tools in admissions processes may inadvertently favor students from wealthier backgrounds, as they tend to prioritize factors indicative of financial privilege. Consequently, this can lead to the marginalization of low-income applicants. Moreover, biased datasets underlying AI systems risk reinforcing detrimental stereotypes and result in the unequal distribution of academic resources, adversely affecting students of color and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Equity Strategy Components

Key components of CCA’s equity strategy focus on mitigating algorithmic bias through diverse datasets and advocating for inclusive policymaking. The Council is committed to ensuring equitable investment in AI capabilities across institutions, enabling all students, regardless of their institution’s resources, to benefit from technological advancements. The council is also engaged in developing best practices, policies, and research aimed at the equitable application of AI in the higher education sector.

Institutional Participation and Initiatives

Greenville Technical College (GTC) has joined CCA as part of a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded initiative to enhance equitable student outcomes. Larry Miller, PhD, vice president of learning and workforce development at GTC, participates in CCA’s Council on Equitable AI, emphasizing the need to represent institutions that have historically been underserved regarding AI resources.

Miller has underscored the importance of a skilled workforce to leverage the productivity advantages that AI can offer. GTC is focused on integrating AI-enhanced tools into its new advanced welding facility and robotics program, designed to cater to diverse learning requirements and to facilitate student graduation.

Similarly, the University at Albany (UAlbany) is advancing the integration of AI in higher education through its AI Plus initiative, initiated in 2022 with a significant investment of $75 million from New York State. UAlbany aims to incorporate AI across all operational areas within the university.

The university’s president, Havidán Rodríguez, has reiterated a commitment to ensuring that AI development and application are conducted equitably, ethically, and responsibly. UAlbany has introduced new courses across various disciplines, including non-STEM fields, to prepare students for a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by AI technologies.

To support the AI Plus initiative, UAlbany is undertaking the largest hiring initiative in its history, bringing on 27 specialists across different departments. These new hires, such as Haesol Bae in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice, are tasked with curriculum development that emphasizes ethical considerations in AI’s societal role.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The AI Plus Institute at UAlbany fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty, aiming to maximize the benefits of AI across various fields, including environmental science and public health. Researchers, such as Yanna Liang, PhD, are utilizing AI to tackle critical issues, including soil contamination.

In addition to focusing on AI advancements, UAlbany’s AI Plus Institute also addresses the ethical implications associated with these technologies. Jason D’Cruz, a philosophy professor, is researching how AI can be developed to understand human behavior and exhibit empathy, which is particularly important in applications related to finance and criminal justice.

Conclusion

As AI technologies advance, both Greenville Technical College and the University at Albany are establishing frameworks for equitable integration within higher education. By prioritizing the inclusion of historically underrepresented voices, these institutions aim to ensure that AI serves the interests of all students.

Source: Insight into Diversity

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