Harnessing the era of artificial intelligence in higher education: a primer for highereducation stakeholders – UNESCO Digital Library

Foreword

No one in higher education should avoid the duty to assess opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) and then take action simply because of fear of the unknown. For good or bad, everyone in higher education must acquire at least a basic understanding of AI to make informed decisions. When our societies, cultures, values, political systems, and economies face the incredible challenge of AI, our citizens legitimately expect guidance from higher education.

First, higher education institutions (HEIs) are not only engaged in the research and development that promotes further advancements in AI but also train most professionals who, directly or indirectly, will work in the AI industry or must adapt their skills to take advantage of AI. Ultimately, HEIs, particularly universities, should offer their capacities as a values-driven nest where AI can reside and evolve. Second, higher education can, moreover, help us all to have a critical approach to AI, empowering us to place AI at the service of human development, rather than passively and mindlessly waiting for whatever impacts it may have on our lives.

Both reasons substantiate the need for a Primer like this, which UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America & the Caribbean (IESALC) is pleased to offer to the wider community of higher education stakeholders worldwide. It aims to provide the basic information and tips that would allow higher education stakeholders to develop their thinking and policies regarding the use of AI to improve processes and outcomes at their institutions. It has been designed as both a comprehensive and comprehensible introduction to AI in higher education and a practical tool for guidance and reference. It also includes some urgent recommendations.

AI presents HEIs with yet another opportunity to demonstrate their value to our societies and people, as they did during the pandemic. HEIs are expected to be a lighthouse whenever a major crisis emerges. At UNESCO IESALC, we would be honoured if this contribution helps to keep the light on and for it to shine even brighter.