A Panel Report on Higher Education in the Age of AI from the Perspective of Academic Leaders in the Midwest U.S.

Abstract

This panel report is based on an academic leadership panel at the 18th annual Midwest Association for Information Systems (MWAIS) 2023 conference held in St. Paul, Minnesota. A panel of five university chancellors and presidents was brought together to discuss the current and potential challenges and opportunities of higher education institutions, particularly the comprehensive regional universities in the Midwest U.S. region. The panel was asked to reflect on the challenges and opportunities afforded by the rapid use and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how this impacts higher education. Discussion themes and insights are presented along with the future outlook considerations. The panel discussed how universities are preparing themselves for broad challenges and opportunities necessitated by the rapid technological advances in AI along with other social and economic changes - such as declining state support and lower student enrollments, by reexamining the value of college education and reevaluating and repositioning curricula and programs. The discussion underscored that university leaders are placing a strong emphasis on human qualities in the human-AI dynamic. These qualities include adaptive skills for tackling unstructured problems, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, empathy, emotional intelligence, and a focus on ethical and social aspects. They highlight these attributes as vital elements, considering them more important than just the technological components when grappling with challenges posed by AI in human decision-making and higher education.