The Seton Hall University’s Teaching, Learning and Technology Center, in collaboration with Edge, hosted the inaugural AI Teaching & Learning Symposium on June 11, 2023. The event brought together over 160 educators to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education. The day-long symposium explored various aspects such as policies and guidance, ethical challenges, accessibility implications, and practical opportunities for improving learning outcomes using AI.
Adam Scarzafava, Associate Vice President of EdgeEvents & Digital Marketing, expressed his excitement about co-hosting the event, emphasizing the importance of higher education leaders, faculty, and staff coming together to learn from each other in the rapidly changing AI landscape.
The symposium offered a variety of sessions, including a presentation by Adobe on aligning AI offerings with the company’s AI ethics principles. A unique student panel, moderated by recent alumna Julia Boivin, discussed the practical applications of generative AI in learning environments, technical and ethical challenges faced, and solutions implemented. The panel also covered key takeaways on academic performance and engagement, and reflections on how these experiences prepared students for an AI-driven workforce.
John Shannon, J.D., a professor at the Stillman School of Business, explained the importance of integrating AI into courses while emphasizing critical thinking, ethics, and interdisciplinary knowledge. This approach equips graduates with the skills and adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The symposium featured presentations from thought leaders at universities and colleges across the tri-state area, with speakers even coming from as far as Tennessee State University. Notable sessions from Seton Hall University included discussions on enhancing creative workflows with generative AI, integrating generative AI in higher education learning environments, and using AI avatar patients to increase student readiness. Exhibitors such as Amazon Web Services, Anthology, and e+ showcased their efforts to support innovation in higher education.
Seton Hall’s CIO, Paul Fisher, expressed pride in the University’s role in co-hosting the symposium, stating that it advanced the understanding and approach to integrating AI in education. The event emphasized the importance of cultivating a collaborative community dedicated to innovative educational practices.
Seton Hall is taking proactive steps to address the rapid advancement of AI and its profound influence on education. Ongoing dialogue, research, and implementation of AI technologies that uphold ethical standards, promote inclusivity, and empower students with critical skills are part of this commitment. Initiatives such as the University’s involvement in the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum, and the Teaching Learning and Technology Roundtable foster this ongoing dialogue.
Further AI resources can be found in the TLTC’s AI Resource Center and the Center for Faculty Development’s Generative AI Resources for Faculty. The symposium falls under the category of Science and Technology.
