Our Liberal Arts Approach to Artificial Intelligence
Ask ChatGPT for a one-sentence answer to the question: “Should St. Lawrence University, whose mission is to provide an inspiring and demanding undergraduate education in the liberal arts, approach AI with excitement or with skepticism?”
At this point, chances are excellent that if you haven’t already created your own ChatGPT account, you’ve at least heard of the artificial intelligence large language model that has become the topic of much debate since it was released in November 2022.
The tool that can understand and generate text that mimics human conversation is capable of engaging in discussion, answering most any question, writing research papers, and performing a variety of other text-based tasks, including producing sophisticated computer code—all within a few seconds. It also creates images from text prompts.
Like so much of ChatGPT’s responses, this one is impressively—and maybe a bit disconcertingly—smart: “St. Lawrence University should approach AI with a balanced mix of excitement and critical skepticism to fully leverage its potential while addressing its ethical and societal implications.”
AI Lingo to Know
With the rise of artificial intelligence, a whole new set of terms has emerged to describe its concepts, capabilities, and ethical considerations. Here are a half-dozen of them, as defined by GPT-4o itself.
Boldly Learning AI Together
St. Lawrence faculty are leading the way in integrating AI into the classroom, turning challenges into opportunities for critical thinking and innovation. From using AI to generate crisis simulations to teaching students how to collaborate with technology, they're redefining what it means to learn in the digital age.
Read How Faculty are Navigating AI in the Classroom
How Chat GPT Saved Our Disney Trip
When planning a Disney trip felt overwhelming, Professor Ronnie Olesker turned to AI for help—and it delivered the magic! Using ChatGPT, she crafted the perfect itinerary, navigating the parks like a pro and making the most of every moment with her family. From avoiding long lines to scheduling the best breaks, AI made what seemed daunting into a dream vacation.
Read How AI Turned a Disney Trip into a Dream Vacation
A Computer Scientists Perspective on AI
Under the guidance of Charles A. Dana Professor of Computer Science Ed Harcourt, students are pushing the boundaries of innovation. From enhancing cybersecurity to creating accessible physical therapy apps, and even classifying sounds with cutting-edge AI, these projects showcase the incredible potential of technology. Yet, Harcourt reminds us that mastering the basics is key—AI is a tool, not a replacement for deep understanding.
Read About Student AI Projects & Classroom Perspectives
Our Real-Life Student Who Inspired an AI Cover Image
Meet Joshua-Daniel Alleyne ’27, an international student from Jamaica majoring in computer science and studio art with a minor in education, and our inspiration for our Summer 2024 AI cover image. For this edition, we envisioned a half-human/half-cyborg portrait of Alleyne, symbolizing intelligence augmentation. But as we explored AI-generated images, we realized the true power of these tools lies in their ability to create entirely new visuals.
