AI and Agency: Navigating the Future of Academic Technology with Gerry White

Welcome back to Trending in Education! This week, we dive headfirst into the accelerating world of emerging technology with Gerry White, Dean of Academic Technology for ECPI University. Gerry, an English and Music major turned tech enthusiast, shares his fascinating career trajectory and the work he is doing to keep ECPI University at the forefront of the AI revolution.

We explore the current landscape of AI in higher education, noting the split between institutions that forbid its use (even reverting to blue books and oral exams) and those that are running with the technology. Gerry advocates for integrating AI responsibly, modeling its use for students, and leveraging it as a powerful tool for deeper critical thinking and better writing.

We also discuss the very real dangers of over-reliance—the "training wheels problem"—where students risk losing critical thinking skills and agency by letting the AI write for them. For Gerry, the loss of human agency is perhaps the biggest threat posed by this new technology.

Finally, we shift into the sci-fi lane as Gerry shares details about his recent science fiction novel, Edge of Control, which explores the dystopian possibilities of an integrated, unregulated Enterprise AI. We wrap up with practical advice for listeners to start experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, and look ahead at the next horizon: Augmented Reality (AR) glasses that integrate with AI.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The AI Split in Higher Ed: We note that universities are divided, with some outright forbidding AI use (favoring traditional methods) and others actively integrating it into the curriculum.

• Agency is Key: The greatest danger in the age of AI is the loss of human agency and the erosion of critical thinking skills due to over-reliance on generative models.

• Incorporate AI Responsibly: The best approach is to model responsible AI use by integrating it into every stage of the writing process after students start with their own thoughts and text.

• Focus on the Question: The quality of the questions students ask is now far more important than the answers, as we are "drowning in a sea of answers".

• What's Next: AR and AI: Beyond the current AI boom, the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) glasses with AI—bringing screens and information off our devices and onto our faces—is the next significant technological shift.

💡 Why You Should Listen:

If you are a student, educator, or simply a human trying to navigate the seismic shifts brought on by Artificial Intelligence, this episode is your essential guide. We not only share practical, immediate advice on how to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for personal and professional growth, but we also wrestle with the profound philosophical questions about human competence, mental health, and the future of learning. Listen to understand how to stay in charge of the technology, and to hear a real-life science fiction author discuss how the future is already here.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:51 Gerry White's Career Journey

02:34 Emerging Trends in Higher Education

03:36 Incorporating AI in Education

05:30 Challenges and Risks of AI

07:29 Future of AI and Higher Education

14:07 Science Fiction and AI

16:16 Practical Advice for AI Adoption

19:41 Emerging Technologies Beyond AI

22:02 Balancing Technology and Humanity

29:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts