Tina Seelig

Kent Bye from Voices of VR is now presenting at the Future of Text Symposium. We are learning about The Future of Text in the Context of XR and Process Philosophy from his presentation!

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What we're reading about in Arts & Sciences at TCTC: If faculty don't encourage students to openly disclose their use of AI in class, we risk relying on detection tools that monitor every aspect of a student's writing process. What we're talking about: how do we foster an environment of transparency and trust, where students feel comfortable discussing their AI usage? How do we promote ethical practices but also prepare students for a future where AI is an integral part of their professional lives?

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ICYMI this is the statement I include on GAI use for my students. If you want to borrow it please feel free. Use of GAI tools for academic work:  a caution Please do not use Generative AI tools as a substitute for your own thinking, reflections, and voice.  If you are uncertain, that’s OK, and it’s fine for it to be reflected in your writing.  I prefer that to the smooth and certain bullshit that is extruded by GAI tools.  The increasing availability of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools like ChatGPT presents new challenges for university classes. While many of us have used algorithmic searches (e.g. Google), the new applications provide human-like writing. Things to think about: ChatGPT can help students brainstorm questions they go onto investigate, or create counterarguments to strengthen their essays. However, it can also generate fake knowledge, including citations, and short-circuit the process of reading for understanding. Does it make us rethink what counts as cheating? What counts as learning? Can we write reflectively on our processes as an exercise to help us understand this? I’ve written more about this issue here: https://lnkd.in/dBtsf88n In short, don’t do the neoliberal academy’s work for them.  I can’t stop you, and I’m not a cop, so I won’t be using detection software.  But these tools extrude highly mediocre and bland and often very wrong content.  None of you are mediocre, and you deserve better.

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I am a humanistic professional trying to understand the connection that enhances the human experience. There is so much to learn about, reflect because of, and create with AI.

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Be sure to vote for our session. Carnegie Learning

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Teens surprise math world with Pythagorean Theorem trigonometry proof I 60 Minutes https://lnkd.in/gRfskT4R

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I really enjoyed reading the very long post by Dario Amodei "Machines of Loving Grace." I will provide the highlights from my perspective on AI for health research. https://lnkd.in/gPUFPgc5 Summary: Dario Amodei's essay envisions AI compressing 50-100 years of medical progress into 5-10 years, potentially eliminating most diseases, doubling human lifespan, and revolutionizing healthcare delivery. Key Insight: The breakthrough insight is viewing AI not just as data analysis tools, but as autonomous scientists and researchers who can perform all tasks biologists do - designing experiments, controlling lab equipment, inventing new methods, and directing research programs. This is fundamentally different from the current "AI for data analysis" paradigm. For my students: To those working at the intersection of AI and healthcare - you're not just building better analysis tools, you're developing the next generation of autonomous scientists. Think of breakthroughs like CRISPR - with AI researchers working alongside humans, we could create 10x such innovations in a fraction of the time. Your work in drug discovery, clinical trials, and healthcare AI is helping build a future where most diseases are curable and quality healthcare reaches everyone. Keep pushing boundaries - every problem in healthcare/medicine you solve today could help save millions of lives tomorrow.

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Harnessing AI 'Hallucinations' for Better Science Education Yesterday, I shared how AI can help prepare for difficult conversations about academic integrity. Today, I'm excited to present a follow-up exploring another powerful use of AI in education. In my latest blog post, I provide examples of how AI simulations can help teachers address alternative scientific conceptions. Intriguingly, AI's tendency to 'hallucinate' becomes a strength in this context, allowing for more realistic and varied student responses.Essentially, I used generative AI to simulate conversations with “students” who hold alternative scientific conceptions. This exercise revealed how deeply held beliefs, like thinking fish “decide” to evolve or believing the sun revolves around the Earth, can persist despite evidence to the contrary. From evolving fish to static Earths, discover how AI is opening new avenues for science education. I argue that AI offers an opportunity for educators to practice addressing these challenges in a low-stakes environment, allowing us to refine our strategies and anticipate students’ responses. Read the full post to explore: -How AI simulations mirror real classroom challenges -The surprising difficulty of 'proving' basic scientific facts- -Why every question, even misguided ones, is a cry to understand the world As we navigate the complexities of science education, it’s important to remember that these misconceptions aren’t errors but part of a dynamic dialogue between students and the world around them. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gF8dXs_d #ScienceEducation #GenerativeAI #Teaching #Learning #EdTech

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Self-described as an “experience unicorn," our interview with J. Alison Bryant, Ph.D. reminds me of the skills needed to bring knowledge from one field to another. With each of her roles in academia, media/tech industry, entrepreneurship, and now as an executive at Sesame Workshop, Alison has introduced valuable insights and know how from one field to another. To be effective as a "knowledge broker," Alison needed to understand the context and know how to adapt the knowledge and use her strong critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills. Just like unicorns, knowledge brokers are rare but valuable.

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Tech Enabled Futures: Elevating Education in Underserved Areas Edición Kindle by Dr. JoAnn Rolle (Author) The text in this book by Jo Ann Rolle, eloquently addresses the pressing issue of the digital divide, emphasizing the transformative potential of technology in creating a more equitable future. It highlights the stark reality that millions, especially in disadvantaged communities, are excluded from the benefits of the digital revolution. The call to action presented in "Tech Enabled Futures" is compelling, urging readers to envision a world where technology serves as a ladder to opportunity rather than a barrier. The emphasis on real stories and practical solutions adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making the proposed roadmap for inclusive technological progress both inspiring and actionable. By showcasing how technology can empower individuals and communities across various social strata, the text effectively underscores the urgency of bridging the digital gap for a more just and prosperous society. Overall, the text is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of technology when harnessed for the greater good, offering a hopeful vision of a future where access to technology is synonymous with access to opportunity and empowerment. In my view, this book represents a valuable and sensible approach to overcome many issues relevant with education and with the undeserve communities. Education is high quality is with any discussion key for a better society.  Roberto Acevedo, PhD Full Professor 

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"We’ve seen many course syllabi that ban AI outright, equating its use with plagiarism. AI can do much more than simply giving us students the answer." CARADITE's two undergraduate research assistants—Emma Ren and Barron Brothers—recently attended Duke Learning Innovation & Lifetime Education's second annual Emerging Pedagogies Summit. As the only undergrads at the Summit, they "found the discussions insightful and practical for bridging the gap between traditional educational practices and AI-driven learning tools." In this blog post, Emma and Barron reflect on their participation in a Summit workshop focused on GPTs. They also share related thoughts about how they believe university instructors should make thoughtful use of these technologies in support of student learning. There's a lot of wisdom here: "While AI can handle certain repetitive tasks, personal connections between students and educators remain essential for fostering skills like empathy and collaboration. Essentially, AI is a tool to enhance—not replace—human relationships." It's been a pleasure learning alongside Emma and Barron this semester, I hope you enjoy their blog post: https://lnkd.in/gW6cvZix #HigherEducation #GenerativeAI #AI

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We are entering a new era of learning with #AI. While others experiment, we’re taking a different approach with Assemble.FYI AI tools, designed to aid—not replace—teachers by providing personalized, simulated learning experiences at scale. While our courses are designed with the unique insights of industry experts, our AI tools focus on personalization and job readiness. Imagine students engaging in simulated learning experiences, like a 30-minute conversation with an AI agent around interview prep or learning the specific vernacular of a certain industry. These unique, real-time simulations offer deep personalization while keeping teachers at the heart of the process. This is more important than ever. A recent study found that 70% of business leaders believe recent college graduates are unprepared due to poor communication skills. At Assemble.FYI we’re addressing this gap by providing students with opportunities to enhance both their technical and interpersonal skills through innovative AI-driven learning. We’ve got some really exciting innovations to bring to the education industry. Feel free to reach out—I’d love to share more or discuss how we can help support your institution with job-ready learning through simulated experiences. https://lnkd.in/g8aUTyMg #Education #AIinEducation #EdTech #LearningInnovation #SimulatedLearning #JobReadySkills

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Advanced AI users develop special cognitive models When we encounter a stranger, we make swift, often unconscious judgments about who they are and what they are capable of. A person who speaks our language with barely a hint of an accent? We assume they are fluent. Someone who drops a reference to a complex scientific theory? We peg them as well-educated, likely to be literate, and probably knowledgeable about a range of topics from current events to social norms. These snap judgments form the backbone of our social interactions. They are mental shortcuts, honed over millennia of human evolution, allowing us to navigate the complexities of social life with remarkable efficiency. Most of the time, they serve us well. We can usually guess whether someone will understand a joke, follow a complex argument, or need help using a smartphone. These are cognitive models. But when we step into the realm of artificial intelligence, these time-tested models crumble... https://lnkd.in/gYBEJBWD

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What advice would you give to women seeking to enter the AI field? Rachel Coldicutt : “Don’t feel like you have to work in a “women’s issue” field, don’t be put off by the hype, and seek out peers and build friendships with other folk so you have an active support network. What’s kept me going all these years is my network of friends, former colleagues and allies — we offer each other mutual support, a never-ending supply of pep talks, and sometimes a shoulder to cry on. Without that, it can feel very lonely; you’re so often going to be the only woman in the room that it’s vital to have somewhere safe to turn to decompress. The minute you get the chance, hire well. Don’t replicate structures you have seen or entrench the expectations and norms of an elitist, sexist industry. Challenge the status quo every time you hire and support your new hires. That way, you can start to build a new normal, wherever you are. And seek out the work of some of the great women trailblazing great AI research and practice: Start by reading the work of pioneers like Abeba Birhane, Timnit Gebru, and Joy Buolamwini, who have all produced foundational research that has shaped our understanding of how AI changes and interacts with society.” https://lnkd.in/gJh_cZkZ

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Get behind the work of The Algorithmic Justice League, whether you're a creator or a consumer of writing, images, art, music, video... pretty much anything that is currently at risk of being devalued by exploitative AI. There are ways to create models which fairly license training data from creators - just ask Ed Newton-Rex or read up on Fairly Trained. But as long as the developers of large foundation models are permitted to abrogate their responsibilities through spurious claims of "fair use", we all suffer. Content creators in diverse fields, such as art, writing, and music, have long relied on the internet as a platform to share their work, cultivate a fan base, and generate income. Now, they may be compelled to explore alternative strategies if their creations are continuously used, without permission, to train AI models capable of producing derivative or nearly indistinguishable works. "Alternative pathways" doesn't have to mean we abandon the advances made in Generative AI in the last 18 months: it means that the people whose work went into creating those advances are treated fairly. #AI #aiethics #aieducation

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Humanities students take heart. This article first published in Modern Scientist from last November provides an excellent overview of the advantages afforded by a liberal arts degree in the age of AI. Rather than being steam-rolled as is conventional wisdom in many corners, these disciplines may actually be advantageous in a climate dominated by STEM. The humanistic X-factor. Now, whether curriculum can pivot quickly enough to accommodate this shift is another question. "There are serious moral and societal concerns raised by AI. Students who have taken liberal arts courses are better prepared to make informed decisions about the responsible creation and dissemination of AI technologies."

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On authentic depictions of faculty. Going forward, I pledge to never knowingly use an image created by generative AI to depict faculty. My feed is generated images of faculty lately. While many generated images are fun, some are awkward, all are idealized. I worry we are creating a new bar for faculty to adhere too -> a new source of imposter syndrome -> plus I prefer real faces of real faculty to describe faculty life. So, here is a blast to the past, from my associate professor years, pre-generative AI, and enjoying life with a few faculty friends. And here is to keeping it real! #academiclife #academicareers

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