KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Students at the University of Tennessee are split on whether to fear or embrace artificial intelligence as the technology becomes more prevalent in the workforce.
Some students say artificial intelligence is a good tool for businesses, while other students say it can be used in the wrong ways.
“I feel like I’m a little bit worried about it,” one student said.
“It can be very beneficial in some parts for sure,” another student said.
A third student said “the general population isn’t using it for its good purposes.”
The Boyd Center for Business and Economic Development finds about two thirds of businesses surveyed in Tennessee are using AI alongside their employees.
Don Bruce at the Boyd Center said students should be diving into AI to stay ahead of the game.
“If you are AI fluent in a way that enriches the company that was about to hire you, you’re going to be a really sought after employee,” Bruce said.
Preparing students for AI
To better prepare students for the world of AI, the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies department has a robot named Pepper that students can work on.
The department has an applied AI undergraduate degree to give students a competitive edge.
“We believe that technology is an integral part of education as well as an integral part of workforce because that’s where the future is headed,” said Emam Fath, a professor in AI with a focus on health care.
Fath added students taking AI courses are going to grow more with the technology.
“It’s not just that tool; it’s how to be adaptable as that tool itself evolve, that they will be successful in doing their jobs,” Fath said.
He said AI is not going anywhere.
“AI is being used as more of automation around business processes,” Fath said.
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies said more than 230 students are in their degree programs and more than 1,400 students are taking classes that involve learning about AI and technology.