[Message Header:  Message from Baruch President S. David Wu  Also including his website address: president.baruch.cuny.edu]

April 26, 2023

My April Blog: “AI, the Future of Work, and the Education That Prepares You”

Dear Baruch Community,

In late March, I chatted with a few Baruch faculty members after an annual cross-college research symposium. Over the course of our conversation, the topic turned to artificial intelligence (AI)—specifically ChatGPT—and whether it is any different from other high-tech breakthroughs we have experienced in our lifetime.

Two opposing views quickly emerged: first, AI is similar to other technological tools—such as smartphones and the internet—that altered how we do things and we will learn to adapt to it too; and second, AI is entirely different from anything we have seen before and will change every facet of our lives, replace a massive number of jobs, and create an element of uncertainty that could make the doomsday scenario of “robots taking over the world” a real possibility. Like other predictions of this kind, I believe it is important to give them due respect and consideration, because when we understand the risks of a technology, we can take steps to mitigate those risks.

On college campuses, another obvious concern is the potential for widespread cheating using the software, a problem that has received a great deal of national attention. Because numerous articles<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__academictech.uchicago.edu_2023_01_23_combating-2Dacademic-2Ddishonesty-2Dpart-2D6-2Dchatgpt-2Dai-2Dand-2Dacademic-2Dintegrity_&d=DwIF-g&c=mRWFL96tuqj9V0Jjj4h40ddo0XsmttALwKjAEOCyUjY&r=QqGTWwETQPvT5sKM_15AhgZVFGrfUAO5RzyvaZkerC-6Ja8boJ6WjQigKSMIL4YJqULuWUr9n6RTlWGcZbXPDg&m=OUUzgO1QPvSgk-cbma46Cz945kmiiKcQwBIwY6iQcciB52QOLn9dUjq5HYBKY4mZ&s=vNd5rFi-2AkAqfKX1JIIAcA8-UMbvNRFGHD66PEyzRI&e= > have already addressed—quite eloquently—how to ensure academic integrity in the face of ChatGPT and other tools, I won’t spend time discussing that topic here. I’d rather focus on a broader issue: If AI and machine learning are to become so advanced as to compete with highly trained professionals, such as accountants, lawyers, and doctors, it may be time for us to think how this “ups the game” for humans. As for our students, you need to embrace the kind of education that will best prepare you for a future where AI, machine learning, and other forms of “white collar automation” are reality.

In my April blog post, “AI, the Future of Work, and the Education That Prepares You<https://presidentsblog.baruch.cuny.edu/ai-the-future-of-work-and-the-education-that-prepares-you/>,” I share my thoughts about what our future with AI may look like, in the context of higher education and in our personal and professional lives. Please join this timely conversation—comment, subscribe, and sign up for blog notifications.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

S. David Wu
President, Baruch College

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