{"id":663,"date":"2024-09-04T12:18:34","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T12:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/ai\/?p=663"},"modified":"2024-09-09T14:50:25","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T14:50:25","slug":"ch-ai-brews-launch-draws-crowd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/ai\/2024\/09\/04\/ch-ai-brews-launch-draws-crowd\/","title":{"rendered":"‘CH-AI Brews’ launch draws crowd"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

More than 80 people\u2014students, faculty, staff and visitors\u2013\u2013turned out to celebrate the launch of a student-led podcast from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\u2019s Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Also known as \u201cChattanooga\u2019s Artificial Intelligence,\u201d the CH-AI team hosted the Thursday, Aug. 29, launch party for \u201cCH-AI Brews: Infusing Conversations About AI,\u201d in the Guerry Center on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The podcast is hosted by UTC Graduate Student Daniel Duggin and features discussions with a wide range of faculty and students at the University on how AI is making its way into the academic world and workforce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among CH-AI\u2019s goals is sharing the story of how faculty and students are incorporating AI into their classrooms and their lives, helping the community and students grow more comfortable and capable with the technology. The CH-AI Brews podcast season 1 features a series of conversations centered on the kinds of concerns and questions Duggin heard faculty, friends and classmates asking. The launch party featured a series of season 1 excerpts. Episode topics range from academic integrity to AI course innovations to what AI could mean to students entering the job market.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Left: Daniel Duggin with Vicki Farnsworth.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lead coordinator of the initiative and UTC Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Vicki Farnsworth emceed the event and was joined by Duggin. Farnsworth kicked off the night with an update on where AI is and where it\u2019s headed, which she described as \u201cchanging all the time.\u201d She summed up the initiative\u2019s goals as \u201cnot being afraid of AI and finding great places to use it, as well as understanding how to cite it effectively from a student perspective. For faculty, it\u2019s also about considering how AI might be applied in the workforce after they leave UTC.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rapid evolution and development of AI technology and tools mean the University has a big job in helping students learn how to appropriately use AI as a resource. An excerpt from Duggin\u2019s conversation with Brett Fuchs, director of Emergency Management, Threat Assessment and Emergency Communications, centered on AI usage issues he helped students navigate before transitioning from assistant dean of students into his current role. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Fuchs covered the review process overseen by the Office of Student Conduct, emphasizing that each case is carefully and thoroughly reviewed. He also stressed that, even in a worst-case scenario, the \u201cvery worst\u201d that would happen is suspension, which he noted is a rarity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other excerpts highlighted ways students are learning how to appropriately utilize AI in their career fields. Nursing student Tyson Kelley described how the use of AI in researching a patient diagnosis dramatically reduced time spent to prepare a care plan. Levi Sampson, a recent UTC business graduate, discussed how the business world is eagerly embracing AI as a tool for better understanding markets and competition, and for pushing that knowledge \u201cfurther into the future.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students are also known to have worries about the effects of AI on the job markets they will enter, and recent computer science graduate Andres Cavalie discussed his concerns with Duggin. In particular, Cavalie wondered about the potential for rapidly progressing AI computer coding programs to reduce the need for human code developers. Even so, Cavalie reasoned, \u201cIt\u2019s more likely AI will be a tool that enhances us more so than replacing us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that UTC students\u2013and a few recent graduates\u2013may have concerns about AI eliminating or changing jobs, Farnsworth offered some perspective in the form of a January 2024 story from the MIT Technology Review<\/em><\/a>. Noting the fears of job loss against rising automation in the 1930s, the piece pointed out \u201cWe\u2019ve been here before.\u201d Farnsworth added that while technology may alter how jobs are done, it rarely takes them away altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UTC faculty are being encouraged to integrate AI into courses, when possible, to better prepare students for how AI may affect their fields. Laurel Rhyne, an associate lecturer in the School of Nursing faculty, was showcased as an example of this. Duggin introduced an excerpt of his conversation with Rhyne by describing her as knowing more about AI than anyone else he knows. Along with other courses, Rhyne also teaches a leadership class on what the future looks like for nursing and medicine. She said she emphasizes to her students the active role AI will play in their work, yet approximately 80% of her students are fearful of AI in nursing. She said educators have a responsibility to \u201cprovide avenues\u201d to help prepare students for the future.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to or follow the \u201cCH-AI Brews\u201d podcast on Spotify<\/strong><\/a> and Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a>. You can also find the podcast on WUTC-FM 88.1<\/strong><\/a>, where it will be a regular weekly feature Mondays (starting Sept. 16) during Morning Edition<\/em> at 7:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., and during All Things Considered<\/em> at 4:30 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Production begins soon on season 2, which will feature conversations with members of the business and civic communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To offer feedback, suggest a topic or ask a question, email: UTC-AI@utc.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n