The University of Portland launches an Ethical AI Initiative, beginning with Dr. Nelson-Marsh’s ‘Future of Work’ course, to critically explore AI’s ethical implications. The initiative, starting in 2025-26, will span multiple disciplines, aiming to empower students to understand and ethically integrate AI technologies. This reflects the university’s commitment to preparing students for an AI-oriented future.
At the University of Portland, Dr. Natalie Nelson-Marsh’s ‘Future of Work’ course will spotlight artificial intelligence this fall, encouraging students to critically analyze AI through an ethical lens. Rather than simply using AI tools for completing assignments, students will dive deep into discussions on how this technology is reshaping the global workforce they are about to enter.
The inaugural ‘Future of Work’ course is part of the University’s broader Ethical AI Initiative, launching in the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative will explore AI’s ethical and societal implications across multiple disciplines, including mathematics, business analytics, technology in education, and its social impacts.
Dr. Hannah Highlander’s ‘Ordinary Differential Equations’ course will also focus on the ethical considerations of mathematical modeling in machine learning for sophomore and junior students. This initiative aims to equip students across various majors with an understanding of how AI influences organizational culture.
Dr. Nelson-Marsh believes that grasping human-AI collaboration will empower students to integrate these technologies ethically into their work environments. “When students understand how human-AI collaboration shapes the way we organize, they are empowered… to integrate them ethically,” she explained.
According to Dr. Valerie Banschbach, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Portland is one of the pioneers in offering a cross-curricular Ethical AI Initiative. “As a Catholic, Holy Cross University, we seek to develop the whole person,” she noted, emphasizing the goal of teaching AI within a moral framework.
Dr. David Mengel, University Provost, asserted that the Ethical AI Initiative reflects the University’s mission, providing students across all majors a chance to engage with advanced AI technologies while questioning their applications. This initiative is a continuation of the University’s dedication to promoting innovation in the surrounding AI landscape.
Last fall, UP hosted a national conference on AI and Catholic education, and they are preparing for their second conference this upcoming October, aiming to strengthen ties with other educational institutions in navigating an increasingly AI-driven world.
The University of Portland’s Ethical AI Initiative sets the stage for a transformative examination of AI’s ethical implications across various academic fields. With courses like Dr. Nelson-Marsh’s ‘Future of Work’ and Dr. Highlander’s ‘Ordinary Differential Equations’, students will be equipped not just to use AI technologies but to understand their societal impact. This initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to developing well-rounded, ethically informed graduates ready to engage responsibly in their future workplaces.
Original Source: www.01net.it
