L’Orient – Le Jour/ Propos recueillis par Lamia SFEIR DAROUNI

The main objectives of the awareness month organized at USJ were to educate and train teachers and researchers in the appropriate utilization of AI across diverse areas such as teaching, evaluation, and research. Let's catch up with Wadad Wazen Gergy, the Head of the New Educational Technologies Unit (UNTE), for the latest update on the matter.

What are the objectives of AI Awareness Month?

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years, along with the accessibility of tools like ChatGPT and other publicly available resources, has made AI accessible to a wider audience. Consequently, there is an urgent need to educate teachers and researchers about the appropriate usage of AI. Recognizing the increasing significance of AI in higher education and research, USJ's vice-rectorate for research, the University Pedagogy Mission, and the New Educational Technologies Unit (UNTE) aimed to acquaint our educational community with the possibilities offered by AI, explore its potential benefits, and address the ethical issues and challenges associated with its extensive use.

What was the response of teachers towards incorporating AI into their lessons?

The significant turnout at all five events during this awareness month, which were optional to all teachers, is a clear indication of the teachers' keen interest in utilizing AI tools in their teaching practices. Indeed, teachers are becoming progressively cognizant of the enhanced value AI tools bring to their teaching methods. These tools not only streamline resource preparation but also enable them to tailor their teaching approach to each student's needs. Moreover, the automation of certain tasks provides them with the opportunity to dedicate more time to engaging with students and creating more stimulating learning activities.

What topics were addressed in these conferences and workshops?

Throughout this month, we aimed to shed light on crucial questions arising from the application of AI in education. In what ways can AI be leveraged to enhance teaching and streamline specific teacher responsibilities, while still upholding the vital role of teachers in students' education? What subjects should be taught, and what are the most effective methods for teaching them in light of AI's influence? How can universities equip students to adapt and thrive in a world where AI plays an increasingly prominent role in their daily lives and careers? How can we guarantee the ethical, inclusive, and equitable utilization of AI in both teaching and learning environments? In what manner can AI tools be effectively integrated into a researcher's workflow to enhance their work and productivity? Furthermore, we explored the ways in which AI tools can be seamlessly integrated into a researcher's workflow, spanning technical, techno-pedagogical, educational, and even medical perspectives.

What activities were available during this month?

The month started with an awareness session introducing the concept of AI, aiming to establish a shared understanding within the USJ community. This was followed by two hands-on workshops, one focusing on mastering the use of "prompt" and the other exploring innovative approaches to course design in the AI era. A thought-provoking conference, hosted by Professor Normand Roy from the University of Montreal, delved into the challenges and opportunities of integrating ChatGPT in teaching. This was further complemented by a practical workshop on student engagement and learning assessment using ChatGPT. During the Research Days, a dedicated panel for researchers featured a captivating talk by Professor Bruno Falissard from Paris-Sud University, titled "Artificial intelligence: how intelligent is it?". These dynamic activities successfully instilled awareness among managers, teachers, and researchers about the potential risks of AI and emphasized the paramount significance of its ethical application.

What are the pedagogical challenges and risks associated with incorporating AI into education?

The utilization of AI in education brings forth significant ethical considerations. Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge that technologies are not neutral since human-provided data shapes AI algorithms' outcomes. If the data provided contains biases, those biases will inevitably be reflected in the results. Moreover, the integration of AI in education often entails the collection of personal data from students and teachers. Therefore, it becomes essential to establish robust security measures to safeguard the privacy of individuals and prevent any misuse of data. Furthermore, excessive reliance on AI can potentially lead to an overdependence on machines, thereby compromising students' critical thinking and creative abilities. These challenges are just a fraction of the broader array of concerns surrounding AI in education. In conclusion, the successful integration of AI into education necessitates comprehensive training for teachers, students, and staff, alongside the implementation of an institutional framework that ensures the responsible and ethical use of AI in teaching and learning.

How does USJ plan to continue promoting the responsible use of AI?

To ensure the responsible and ethical application of AI in education, USJ is taking proactive measures. After the awareness month on AI's proper use, the university will release an ethical framework, along with a set of recommendations, for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. Furthermore, the New Educational Technologies Unit (UNTE) is actively engaged in ongoing monitoring activities to identify AI-based tools that can enhance teaching across various disciplines. The objective is to provide teachers with a centralized platform that offers access to the latest AI-based tools. In addition, USJ has established the Committee for Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategic Orientation. This Committee is responsible for coordinating all university initiatives to ensure a genuine, ethical, and responsible digital transformation, guided by a commitment to excellence.

To know more, please visit the Repository of AI resources and tools designed by the UNTE.

L’Orient – Le Jour/ Interview by Lamia SFEIR DAROUNI,
Translation made by: Dr. Helena Saade

The main objectives of the awareness month organized at USJ were to educate and train teachers and researchers in the appropriate utilization of AI across diverse areas such as teaching, evaluation, and research. Let’s catch up with Wadad Wazen Gergy, the Head of the New Educational Technologies Unit (UNTE), for the latest update on the matter.

What are the objectives of AI Awareness Month?

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years, along with the accessibility of tools like ChatGPT and other publicly available resources, has made AI accessible to a wider audience. Consequently, there is an urgent need to educate teachers and researchers about the appropriate usage of AI. Recognizing the increasing significance of AI in higher education and research, USJ’s vice-rectorate for research, the University Pedagogy Mission, and the New Educational Technologies Unit (UNTE) aimed to acquaint our educational community with the possibilities offered by AI, explore its potential benefits, and address the ethical issues and challenges associated with its extensive use.

What was the response of teachers towards incorporating AI into their lessons?

The significant turnout at all five events during this awareness month, which were optional to all teachers, is a clear indication of the teachers’ keen interest in utilizing AI tools in their teaching practices. Indeed, teachers are becoming progressively cognizant of the enhanced value AI tools bring to their teaching methods. These tools not only streamline resource preparation but also enable them to tailor their teaching approach to each student’s needs. Moreover, the automation of certain tasks provides them with the opportunity to dedicate more time to engaging with students and creating more stimulating learning activities.

What topics were addressed in these conferences and workshops?

Throughout this month, we aimed to shed light on crucial questions arising from the application of AI in education. In what ways can AI be leveraged to enhance teaching and streamline specific teacher responsibilities, while still upholding the vital role of teachers in students’ education? What subjects should be taught, and what are the most effective methods for teaching them in light of AI’s influence? How can universities equip students to adapt and thrive in a world where AI plays an increasingly prominent role in their daily lives and careers? How can we guarantee the ethical, inclusive, and equitable utilization of AI in both teaching and learning environments? In what manner can AI tools be effectively integrated into a researcher’s workflow to enhance their work and productivity? Furthermore, we explored the ways in which AI tools can be seamlessly integrated into a researcher’s workflow, spanning technical, techno-pedagogical, educational, and even medical perspectives.

What activities were available during this month?

The month started with an awareness session introducing the concept of AI, aiming to establish a shared understanding within the USJ community. This was followed by two hands-on workshops, one focusing on mastering the use of “prompt” and the other exploring innovative approaches to course design in the AI era. A thought-provoking conference, hosted by Professor Normand Roy from the University of Montreal, delved into the challenges and opportunities of integrating ChatGPT in teaching. This was further complemented by a practical workshop on student engagement and learning assessment using ChatGPT. During the Research Days, a dedicated panel for researchers featured a captivating talk by Professor Bruno Falissard from Paris-Sud University, titled “Artificial intelligence: how intelligent is it?”. These dynamic activities successfully instilled awareness among managers, teachers, and researchers about the potential risks of AI and emphasized the paramount significance of its ethical application.

What are the pedagogical challenges and risks associated with incorporating AI into education?

The utilization of AI in education brings forth significant ethical considerations. Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge that technologies are not neutral since human-provided data shapes AI algorithms’ outcomes. If the data provided contains biases, those biases will inevitably be reflected in the results. Moreover, the integration of AI in education often entails the collection of personal data from students and teachers. Therefore, it becomes essential to establish robust security measures to safeguard the privacy of individuals and prevent any misuse of data.
Furthermore, excessive reliance on AI can potentially lead to an overdependence on machines, thereby compromising students’ critical thinking and creative abilities. These challenges are just a fraction of the broader array of concerns surrounding AI in education. In conclusion, the successful integration of AI into education necessitates comprehensive training for teachers, students, and staff, alongside the implementation of an institutional framework that ensures the responsible and ethical use of AI in teaching and learning.

How does USJ plan to continue promoting the responsible use of AI?

To ensure the responsible and ethical application of AI in education, USJ is taking proactive measures. After the awareness month on AI’s proper use, the university will release an ethical framework, along with a set of recommendations, for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. Furthermore, the New Educational Technologies Unit (UNTE) is actively engaged in ongoing monitoring activities to identify AI-based tools that can enhance teaching across various disciplines. The objective is to provide teachers with a centralized platform that offers access to the latest AI-based tools.
In addition, USJ has established the Committee for Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategic Orientation. This Committee is responsible for coordinating all university initiatives to ensure a genuine, ethical, and responsible digital transformation, guided by a commitment to excellence.

To know more, please visit the Repository of AI resources and tools
designed by the UNTE.