Center for Advancement of Teaching helps faculty explore AI

Last week, Wake Forest’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) hosted a dynamic two-day conference focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing role in higher education. The event, which attracted over 150 faculty and staff members, underscored the University’s dedication to supporting innovative pedagogies, fostering critical inquiry, and helping educators stay abreast of evolving technologies.

Betsy Barre, CAT’s executive director, envisioned this conference to offer both an introduction to AI and a more profound exploration of its societal implications, applications in higher education, and potential for positive change. Attracting more than 150 participants, representing a diverse range of perspectives and experience levels, the event emphasized the burgeoning interest in AI across the University. 

The conference’s six sessions sparked engaging discussions on AI tools, including language models like ChatGPT and Claude.ai as well as image and video generators. Topics ranged from AI’s capabilities and limitations to ethical considerations, and the importance of making thoughtful, evidence-informed decisions about when and how to integrate these technologies into the teaching and learning process.

Read more about the event and some of the most important takeaways on the Office of the Provost website.

Faculty and staff who were not able to attend the AI Institute still have the opportunity to participate. The CAT will conduct each of the sessions again at least twice throughout the semester. Register here.