Guest Carol Tonge Mack facilitates workshop on AI and Writing
On April 3rd, guest speaker Carol Tonge Mack facilitated a dialogue between students and instructors regarding how we think about our use of AI, particularly—but not exclusively—in the writing classroom. In order to make sure that both sides could be heard, Mack insisted that each table in the room have both students and at least one faculty representative. This setup was able to foster more genuine and frank conversations on this complex issue.
Attendees of the event were able to gain valuable insights from the perspectives of both instructors and our students. For example, while instructors expressed their concerns about plagiarism and students potentially losing out on the efficacy of vital educational processes, students articulated their concerns about being left behind when it comes to gaining valuable experiences with AI that might help them in the future.
Although the event was a success in initiating and furthering this important conversation, it simultaneously revealed that there is a need for more dialogue.
Many thanks to Marcie Newton and Stefan Vogel, co-chairs of the WCI AI Committee, for their hard work in bringing Carol to UAlbany, and thank you to WCI, AISS, and the AI & Society College for sponsoring the event.