Today Magazine Spring 2024 | Page 15

FearEmbrace the Unknown

Gwynedd Mercy University was the first institution in the area to offer a Computer Information Science concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning where the focus was on AI development and innovation .

“ At GMercyU our students are learning to be the architects and visionaries of artificial intelligence , not just users of AI technologies ,” said CIS Program Director , Cindy Casey , PhD , who completed her doctorate in Artificial Intelligence .
AI ' s influence continues to expand across industries such as healthcare , education , entertainment , and manufacturing . Everything from smartphones and search engines to AI-powered toothbrushes and thermostats rely on AI technology . While these technologies make everyday tasks easier , some people are concerned that humans are becoming too dependent on artificial intelligence .
Like a science fiction trope , they fear that AI will become smarter than humans . However , these fears are unwarranted . Machines are not being trained to think like humans , but rather imitate humans .
“ Machines are not smarter , they are faster ,” Dr . Casey said . “ A task that might take a human a few years to accomplish , a machine can do in a few nanoseconds ”. can produce biased and inaccurate outcomes . To address this , students in GMercyU ’ s CIS program learn ethical decision-making . This means that just because they can do something , does not necessarily mean that they should . As future developers of AI , students learn about transparency , fairness , privacy , and responsibility .
Aligning with the University ’ s mission , GMercyU ’ s AI / ML students learn how to ensure that the intelligent machines they are training serve humanity positively and will not cause harm .
Misconceptions about artificial intelligent systems have even raised concerns in academic circles . For example , fear that students will misuse AI tools like ChatGPT , Google ’ s Gemini , or Microsoft ’ s Copilot to cheat .
Although this concern is not entirely unwarranted , GMercyU ' s CIS program wants to change this narrative . In CIS introductory courses students are taught how to use intelligent programs responsibly . Since these conversational agents are now being used in work environments , it is important that students learn how to use them properly .
GMercyU CIS Senior John Rodgers works with the Xiaomi CyberDog during his AI and Machine Learning lab .
Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab , the Innovation Research Lab , and the Hacking & Countermeasures Lab with the latest technologies at their complete disposal , such as Jetson nano Robotic Development Kits , Facial and Voice Recognition Hardware , Xiaomi CyberDog , and GoPiGo Cars .
Learn more about GMercyU ’ s Computer Information Science Program .
This does not mean there is nothing to be concerned about . Machines
CIS students also gain handson experiences in the Artificial
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