BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Artificial intelligence is becoming a part of nearly every sector of the workforce, ranging from health care to education to transportation.
The Community College of Vermont is one school adding artificial intelligence classes to the curriculum. This is just one example of how higher education is looking to teach students about the tech tools they will encounter.
“It’s really enhancing our work roles across all of our industries. So it seems like a really good opportunity to integrate this new skill set into our programs,” said Nicole Stetson of CCV.
The new certificate program aims to build AI literacy among students – which they can apply to any career field. It’s also modeled for people already in their careers to upskill their knowledge base.
Stetson says the idea came after a pilot course about AI garnered a lot of interest, especially with the idea that employers could want candidates to be certified on the topic.
“I think everyone wants to learn more about artificial intelligence and really what it is, you know how it functions and how it’s important to impact our lives, particularly in our careers,” she said.
The certificate program kicks off this upcoming fall.
Meanwhile, at Saint Michael’s College, AI courses have been taught for a few years. Crystal L’Hote teaches a philosophy course called AI and Mental Freedom – a class she says has evolved over the years with technology.
“How are we going to use it, hopefully responsibly to do good things in the world. Hopefully. And I think we’re really preparing students to do well and to do good in the world,” said L’Hote.
She says they conduct experiments using neurofeedback and discuss the ethics surrounding AI.
“Making sure that that you know, people who are using are informed about the conditions and can use it knowing how that data is being used, for instance. So there are some privacy questions there,” she said.
L’Hote adds that the stakes are higher with AI now than just a few years ago. Regulation is beginning while more AI options are accessible, seemingly by the day.