Axim Collaborative

New types of collaborations between broad access institution leaders and technology innovators can drive the development of AI solutions that serve all learners. That was one take away from the AI & Education convening we hosted in October in collaboration with Complete College America and Partnership for Education Advancement. This article covers the four themes that emerged from the convening and which can guide Axim's work with our partners going forward. For those who were not able to attend, we also link to the recordings of talks and panels and presentation materials from all of the workshops.

We're excited about our new partnership with the University of Michigan - Center for Academic Innovation and University of Michigan-Dearborn to advance sustainable academic innovation and support student success. Learn more about our collaboration here: https://lnkd.in/e5YztzzH

A big thank you to the participants and partners who made this year’s AI and Education – From Access to Impact convening such a great opportunity for sharing, learning, and collaboration. After two days of discussions and demonstration sessions, we are excited about the work that lies ahead to realize AI's potential to transform higher education, emphasizing the need for equitable access. We will be sharing more insights and recordings from the event over the following weeks, but wanted to post some initial impressions, building on the insights we heard from college presidents and provosts, technology innovators, non-profit intermediaries, and students from broad access institutions. •Navigating Rapid Change: The pace of change and how to respond to it was a recurring theme and the challenge of adopting AI in under-resourced institutions highlighted the importance of a strategic approach to prevent widening gaps. •Including Student Voices: At this year’s event, each panel had a student representative and it highlighted the importance and benefits of prioritizing student input. Only by listening to the students can we make sure that their needs are being met and the solutions we develop address the most urgent problems. •Fostering Collaboration: The cost of AI is significant and even well-resourced institutions are having to make hard decisions about where to invest. Strong partnerships are essential for developing and implementing impactful AI solutions that serve all institutions and students. •Thinking Outside the Box: There are many immediate challenges that universities face where AI could help improve efficiency or save costs. But we need to balance the focus on short-term incremental improvements with an openness to exploring more radical new approaches and innovative ideas about how AI could enhance post-secondary learning. We appreciate our speakers, attendees, and organizing partners – Complete College America, Partnership for Education Advancement, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. Your commitment is driving meaningful discussions and advancing inclusive and accessible education for all. Stay tuned for a fuller reflection and key takeaways from the convening! #AIEdEquity

Along with our partners at Complete College America, Harvard Graduate School of Education, MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Partnership for Education Advancement, we kicked off Day 1 of the AI and Education — From Access to Impact convening with an incredibly thought-provoking keynote. Chancellor John King of SUNY shared insights on the opportunities and challenges of AI in broad-access higher education institutions. He highlighted the need for AI infrastructure for research, fostering student competencies to use AI effectively, and supporting faculty in experimenting with AI in teaching and learning. He also cautioned that there is limited accountability in the use of technology in education. Building on the notion of equity, MIT’s inaugural dean of the Schwarzman College of Computing, Dan Huttenlocher, emphasized that neither utopian nor dystopian views of AI will be most useful in shaping its future in education, encouraging us to move forward thoughtfully and inclusively. We also heard from Bridget Long, Saris Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, who reminded the group of the importance of human connections in education, which her fellow panelists agreed on. She encouraged the diverse group of innovators from across the higher education spectrum to surface actionable ideas and new insights as we collaborate to shape a more equitable future in education together. In the spirit of collaboration, we look forward to continuing today's discussions in tomorrow's panels and workshops on day 2 of the convening. #AIEdEquity

We were thrilled to be a part of the panel at the UIA National Summit on Student Success Innovation! It was a great opportunity to engage with fellow leaders and share insights on driving change in higher education. Grateful to everyone involved for the inspiring discussions and collaborative spirit. Looking forward to what’s next!

We have a lot going on at Axim these days, but want to make sure that all technology innovators in the US are aware of this funding opportunity that closes on Friday. The initial applications are short (1-2 pages) so there is still plenty of time. Please share with your networks. Three days left to submit abstracts for the 2025 Tools Competition. The award pool has increased to $2.3M, and competitors have the chance to win between $50k-$300k for tools and solutions that serve all learners. https://lnkd.in/dnqeiti7

Join us for the "AI & Education - From Access to Impact" keynote at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on October 28! Please register here to reserve your seat: https://lnkd.in/eqagzK6c

We’re excited to be a part of this partnership and the important work ahead to enhance student success in higher education!

Exciting news! The 2025 Tools Competition launches tomorrow! This multi-million dollar competition will award innovative edtech tools tackling the most pressing issues for learners worldwide and catalyzing learning science research at scale. Join the virtual event marking the start of this year's competition and start thinking about your project ideas that use technology and learning engineering to make a difference for student outcomes! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eyDhdYaM

We're #hiring a new Technology Innovation Director in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Apply today or share this post with your network.