Dr. Mario Herane is an accomplished leader in higher education, with a distinguished career spanning over 17 years in educational leadership, EdTech, technology management, and operational excellence. Currently Vice President of Global Affairs and Development at the Universidad Mayor in Chile and the United States, he has led significant institutional development initiatives around the world. Dr. Herane’s academic qualifications include a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool, an MBA from the University of Florida and a Masters in Finance from Florida International University, complemented by professional development at renowned institutions like the Harvard Kennedy School, MIT, Hasso. Plattner Institute and Stanford University. His experience also includes roles such as Director of Online Learning at Universidad Mayor and Founder of Nexus University. Dr. Herane’s work is distinguished by his commitment to leveraging technology and strategic planning to create innovative and inclusive educational environments.
The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education marks a significant paradigm shift, one that promises to redefine traditional learning methodologies. This technological advancement is as exciting as it is intimidating. AI offers enormous opportunities to improve and personalize educational experiences, but it also brings ethical complexities and regulatory challenges. This scenario, in which technology advances faster than corresponding regulations and societal norms, is not unique to AI and reflects a common pattern in the evolution of disruptive technologies.
Take for example the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms have transformed communication and information sharing, quickly becoming an integral part of daily life. However, the rapidity of their growth and the considerable accumulation of data have outpaced the development of data privacy laws and regulatory oversight. It was only when these platforms became deeply embedded in society that significant attention was paid to issues of data privacy, misinformation and ethical implications.
Likewise, the advent of ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft has sparked a revolution in urban transportation. Their rapid expansion has often exceeded the scope of existing regulatory frameworks, triggering conflicts with traditional taxi services and debates over labor rights, passenger safety and urban traffic management.
The field of drone technology, initially a military tool, has quickly expanded to commercial and recreational uses. Its widespread adoption has outpaced the establishment of comprehensive regulations, leading to concerns about privacy, airspace security and noise pollution.
Genetic engineering, and specifically CRISPR technology, is another area where rapid technological advancements have outpaced ethical and regulatory frameworks. The potential for genetic modification in human embryos and the concept of “designer babies” have sparked intense ethical debates and calls for international regulatory standards.
In each of these cases, the speed of technological innovation has been faster than society’s ability to fully understand and regulate it. This trend is now evident with AI in education, where rapid development of technology precedes the establishment of comprehensive ethical guidelines and regulations. This delay presents a significant challenge, requiring educators, policymakers, and technologists to work collaboratively to ensure that AI is integrated into education in a responsible and ethical manner. However, like many technologies before it, the benefits of AI have led to its widespread adoption, requiring societal, regulatory and legal adaptations post-integration.
The main lesson to be learned from these historical parallels is the need for proactive engagement with emerging technologies. It is essential to anticipate and address the societal, ethical and legal implications as these technologies emerge, rather than reacting after widespread adoption. For AI in education, this means establishing ethical frameworks, designing inclusive and unbiased systems, and fostering collaborative dialogues among stakeholders. This proactive approach will ensure that AI not only improves educational outcomes, but does so in a way that respects the rights and dignity of all learners, setting a precedent for responsible innovation in the field of education.
Ethically, educational institutions must ensure that AI systems meet the highest standards of data protection. Transparency in data use and giving students control over their data is essential to maintaining trust and integrity in the AI-enabled educational landscape. Accountability and transparency in AI decision-making processes are essential. Institutions must establish clear policies on how AI-based decisions are made and communicated, ensuring that AI is not an enigmatic and unaccountable force in education but an understandable and scrutinizable tool.
The digital divide is an equally important ethical consideration. As AI becomes more prevalent in higher education, the gap is likely to widen between those who have access to cutting-edge technologies and those who do not. Institutions must ensure equitable access to AI tools and resources. This could involve investing in infrastructure that supports widespread access to AI educational tools, providing training for students and educators, and developing partnerships to support under-resourced areas.
Professional development for educators is another crucial action point. As AI tools are increasingly integrated into the educational process, educators need to be well versed in these technologies. Training programs focused on the ethical use of AI, understanding its capabilities and limitations, and strategies for effectively integrating AI tools into curricula are essential. The training teachers will allow them to apply this technology in the classroom and transmit good practices to students.
In conclusion, integrating AI into higher education is a work in progress. Drawing on lessons from the past, such as the introduction of calculators in the classroom, we understand that the adoption of new technologies in education is a journey of adaptation, understanding and improvement. Just as calculators have gone from being a threat to the rigor of mathematics education to becoming an indispensable tool, AI too has the potential to become a valuable asset to students and their future professions. The key is to carefully assess the implications of new technologies and methodically integrate them into the educational fabric. In doing so, we can ensure that AI becomes not only a sophisticated tool in higher education, but also an enabler to enrich the learning experience and equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their future careers .
