By Julie Drake
The times they are a-changing in higher education. The California State University system announced its artificial intelligence (AI) initiative in February in a public-private partnership with leading technology firms including Adobe, Alphabet, AWS and OpenAI. CSUCI is poised to benefit greatly from this system-wide initiative with faculty and staff getting access to AI technology and becoming familiar with it before students start using it during the summer of 2025.
“The AI Strategy Initiative brings together several foundational components that reflect our institution’s forward-looking approach to artificial intelligence,” said Jim August, Associate Vice President for Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer at CSUCI.
This includes an AI Council, which provides strategic oversight; a Community of Practice that fosters collaboration and professional development; an Ethics Board to ensure responsible AI integration; and an AI Innovation and Research Competition that encourages cutting-edge exploration.
The Community of Practice will include a speaker series with higher education AI leaders from around the nation.
“This series will cover critical topics like ethical frameworks, responsible usage guidelines, emerging tools and technologies, and leadership insights on how AI is shaping the future of higher education,” August said. “We see this as a vital opportunity to build shared understanding and spark innovation across the academic landscape."
CSUCI will also have an Ethics board that will have representation from students, faculty, staff and administrators. Given the rapidly evolving nature of AI, the board will stay abreast of ethical topics relevant to the University community and provide a space for discussion about topics such as academic integrity, research ethics, responsible use of technology, and conflicts of interest.
“The specific topics addressed will likely evolve based on the needs and concerns of the University community,” August said.
The campus is also looking at ways for AI to improve University operations.
“We intend to use focus groups to ask employees how AI can be used effectively in their area and will seek to implement more effective business processes that include AI,” said August.
Assistant Vice President for Digital Learning Lorna Gonzalez stated, “CSUCI is creatively integrating AI across disciplines.”
“For example, both the Master’s and Bachelor’s Health Science programs will have patient simulations,” said Jill Leafstedt, Dean of Extended University & Digital Learning.
All 23 CSU campuses (students, faculty and staff) will get access to AI technologies. As the largest and most diverse public four-year university system in the country, this is important.
Taking advantage of AI technology also means knowing how to use it.
“It all lies in the prompt — how effectively are you providing the prompt,” said Asha Ramachandra, Director of IT Strategy. “So that’s why we are working on training sessions also.”
Faculty and staff had multiple learning opportunities this Spring, both through the campus and the Chancellor’s office.
“Faculty were invited to participate in a program called Legends of Academia, in which they develop multiple ways to integrate AI applications in their courses (e.g., syllabus statements, student questionnaires, online modules, assignment instructions, etc.),” said Gonzalez.
“We’re really excited to see what people can do with it. The fact that the system is working together as a large system to provide equitable access to all students and faculty is truly wonderful,” said Jill Leafstedt, Dean of Extended University & Digital Learning.