Because artificial intelligence has the potential to transform how we work, teach, learn and conduct research, developing an institutional strategy for AI is an imperative for the University of Washington. The UW has a responsibility to lead in the conversation around AI – not only in potential applications but in their ethical and equitable use.
To meet the challenges and opportunities that AI represents, then President Cauce and Provost Serio appointed a task force to suggest a UW-wide strategy for AI. The task force – and its five working groups – included faculty and leaders from across the University and was chaired by Andreas Bohman, vice president of Information Technology and chief information officer; and Anind Dey, dean of the Information School.
The task force proposed a broad vision in which the UW leverages its leadership in AI research to transform student success and their experience at our University, to make previously unimaginable advances across disciplines, and to enable these core aspects of our mission through reimagined administrative functions supported by leading edge infrastructure.
To gather input and measure reactions to the report, the task force surveyed the UW community – faculty, staff and students across our three campuses. In addition, they hosted a series of online town halls on a number of AI-related themes, including the transformative power of AI, its ethical dilemmas and its impact on education, society and the future of work.
Just as AI continues to develop, evolve and transform – so does our conversation around it. The report, the survey the town halls – these are not the end of that conversation. They are a framework for the ongoing dialogue that is taking place in every corner of the University, including in faculty senate councils and other governance structures that are already in place.