The TF-NUS PLUM programme is a signature event for university leaders across ASEAN, bringing together over 300 participants since 2012.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes our lives, universities face a pivotal question: Will they lead the charge into this new era or be left behind?

Sixty university leaders from Southeast Asia gathered at NUS to discuss this issue at the eighth edition of the Temasek Foundation – NUS Programme for Leadership in University Management (PLUM).     

From its first run in 2012, PLUM has grown into a signature event for university leaders across Southeast Asia (SEA) to gather once every two years to foster ties across their universities and countries, exchange knowledge and experience, and advance ideas on the governance and management of Southeast Asia’s leading universities.

Representing the management and academic teams from 21 universities across ASEAN, the leaders congregated at NUS from 14 to 16 May, to discuss key issues related to the role of AI in teaching and learning; and addressing the growing focus and demand for well-being and a holistic student life beyond academia in universities today. Cumulatively, PLUM has brought together over 300 participants from over 30 universities across 10 ASEAN countries to date.

In his opening address, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye expressed his hope that the PLUM programme would be a catalyst for ASEAN universities to embark on new, innovative and meaningful initiatives.

“Universities cannot afford to fear, ignore, and dismiss technological developments. The future is driven by technology,” said NUS President, Professor Tan Eng Chye, in his speech at the opening of the event’s three-day programme.

But he also cautioned about the threats of technology. “We must prepare our students for the pressures of work displacement and guard against the potential for misuse of AI,” added Prof Tan.

The launch of Generative AI such as ChatGPT has revolutionised the education sector. Students are using it to complete assignments, while institutions in China are looking to use AI models to grade college entrance exams. At the same time, businesses are exploring ways to tap on AI to raise productivity.

Such technological changes have also prompted universities to re-examine their relationship with students.

“Are students our customers or products? Should we think of our role as service to the students, or service to the economy?” said Professor Simon Chesterman, Vice Provost (Educational Innovation), during his talk on AI and Education.

Prepared for AI disruption

Contrary to sci-fi movie plots, the world is not about to experience a robot apocalypse, nor are jobs going to vanish overnight. But AI will lead to a decline in employment and employability, noted Prof Chesterman, author of Artifice: A Novel which dives into how AI might make us rethink what it means to be human. He has written academic books on the topic as well.

“This is a problem that goes beyond universities. But as we think about our role in providing education, to the extent that education is meant to prepare people for employment, we need to think how we can best prepare our students,” he added.

With technological disruptions now the norm, educators agreed that it is important to ensure that graduates can adapt to a rapidly changing world.

This is why educators need to embrace AI and wield it properly – a consensus achieved by university leaders during the roundtable discussion on how AI will impact the mission of their universities.     

In fact, AI can come in handy in many areas – administration, research, teaching, and more. Automating repetitive administrative tasks can free up time for professors to focus on teaching and the use of AI can help process large amounts of data for research.

“AI will also enable us (professors) to give more personalised feedback to our students. But we should not offload the responsibility onto AI, but work out how we can leverage AI to offer better educational products,” elaborated Prof Chesterman.

Ethical use of AI

There is no doubt that AI is a double-edged sword. Used irresponsibly, it could harm instead of help – as with the example of ChaosGPT, an AI programmed to destroy humanity.

Some researchers have also unknowingly made the mistake of including AI-written introduction paragraphs in their research papers.

In short, AI is a tool that needs to be used responsibly and ethically, said university leaders.

One example is the issue of assessments. How can universities ensure that submitted assignments are not produced by AI? Instead of banning AI, universities need to educate students on appropriate usage of it, said delegates at the event

“We’re going to need to treat AI basically like a calculator,” suggested Prof Chesterman. “We’re very clear that in some circumstances you cannot use calculators. In some circumstances, you essentially have to use calculators. That is clearly what we have to go with for AI.”

But not everyone has access to AI. Data and technology thus need to be made more accessible so that everyone can reap the benefits. Collaboration between Southeast Asian universities is one way to achieve economies of scale, delegates noted during the roundtable discussion.

“We will be doing our students a great disservice if we do not equip them with the relevant skills in a highly data and technology-driven future,” remarked NUS President, Prof Tan.

As educators prepare students for a world with AI, they too will need to upskill. More often than not, they can learn a thing or two from their own students.

Combining the skills of the tech-savvy younger generation with the lived experiences of educators can foster a dynamic and innovative learning environment, said the delegates.     

Despite the growing focus on technological advancements and their impact on education, leaders should not forget the “softer” aspects of a university experience, they added.

“Universities are more than just a place where students get a degree to land a job. The university experience is where one matures in perspective, building skills and character,” said Prof Tan.

This is the first article in a two-part series on PLUM. Read Part 2 here.


News from: https://news.nus.edu.sg/tf-nus-plum-2024-how-universities-must-evolve-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/