Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) is actively providing artificial intelligence (AI) workshops and courses to better equip students and faculty on how to ethically use AI as a tool in their professional careers.
AI is quickly transforming our future and many emotions about this trending technology are sparking both excitement and concern. Many people are eager to understand AI’s full potential, while others fear its impact on jobs and careers. Some worry the technology will replace human workers in various industries. At AUM, faculty and professors are working to help the campus navigate a future shaped by AI. AUM now offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program that focuses on AI application in business practices.
Jeffery Bohler, chair and associate professor of the Management Information Systems Department, spoke at the Chancellor’s Breakfast in February about AUM’s efforts to incorporate AI ethically into education. He emphasized the importance of critical thinking and effective communication when interacting with AI. Bohler encouraged students to learn how to use AI tools in their future careers because “it is here to stay,” he said.
Bohler also stated some of the risks associated with AI technology. He pointed out that AI systems have begun developing their own forms of communication, which humans struggle to understand. He referred to the language as “Gibbling,” allowing machines to communicate more efficiently.
The course called “NVIDIA Deep Learning Training and Certification” was held in the Taylor Center on July 18 and introduced students to the fundamentals of deep AI-learning models, while also providing students with an industry-recognized certification, typically costing participants $500.
Olcay Kursun, an assistant professor of computer science and principal investigator of the NSF grant, led the certification course.
In an interview, Kursun said students are earning this certification free of charge because he serves as an NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute ambassador. “This course offers a valuable opportunity for AUM to expand access to AI education and for students to develop skills in a field that is shaping the future,” Kursun said to AUM.
In a 2017 Forbes article, Tony Bradley reported that AI systems were already happening with two chatbots at Facebook. According to Bradley, “Facebook shut down an artificial intelligence engine after developers discovered that the AI had created its own unique language that humans can’t understand.” This is exactly what Bohler was communicating at the February workshop. “It is as concerning as it is amazing – simultaneously a glimpse of both the awesome and horrifying potential of AI,” Bradley wrote.
To ensure students are prepared for the growing future of AI in the workforce, AUM continues to plan to offer more AI-focused courses. Bohler announced that courses such as “AI Systems and Business Operations,” “Large Language Models in AI Innovation,” and “Data Analytics for AI-Driven Decisions” will be available. In the future, students can pursue a master’s degree in artificial intelligence and also a minor in AI technology, teaching them the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly AI-driven job market.
