Students, faculty and staff gathered for an open forum on artificial intelligence in higher education on April 30 at ʼһ’s Westchester Campus. Titled “Learning with AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Scary,” the event, attended by more than 50 students, offered a unique opportunity for the university community to engage in an honest and timely conversation about the role of generative AI in academia.
Sponsored by ʼһ Libraries and the Faculty Senate Library Committee, the discussion was moderated by Professor Dr. Patrick Fazioli, who guided the dialogue with thought-provoking questions. Attendees were encouraged to share their experiences using AI, where they found it most helpful and how they navigate the ethical boundaries of AI use in academic settings.
Dr. Moddie Breland, dean of libraries and a member of the Library Committee, praised the event's collaborative spirit. “This was a wonderful event. I think our committee accomplished what we set out to do—bring the entire university community together to discuss a timely topic,” he said. “I look forward to the next event where students, faculty, and staff can continue to share ideas and perspectives.”
Professor Fazioli noted the thoughtfulness of the student responses. “Personally, I was impressed by how many students are thinking about generative AI in a sophisticated and nuanced manner,” he said. “They seemed quite aware of the dangers of outsourcing their cognitive abilities and were genuinely grappling with the tradeoffs between convenience and overreliance.”
Other faculty members echoed these sentiments. Dr. Ilene Rothschild called the event “an exceptional learning experience,” emphasizing that it focused on student perspectives. “Several professors brought their classes, and the open discussion format allowed for a wide exchange of views and opinions. The event was a success, as judged by over 70 participants and strong audience engagement,” she added.
Library Committee Chair Prof. Mindy Donovan agreed, highlighting the students’ critical thinking. “Professors and students engaged in open discussion, sharing their perspectives on generative AI,” she said. “I was impressed by the students' thoughtful approach to the topic, carefully considering both its benefits and potential risks.”
Student reactions reflected a deep engagement with the topic. Agatha Cobert remarked, “With the increase of AI, it is going to be difficult to stop students from using it, but it’s important to bring awareness of its benefits and risks.”
Victor Mota described the forum as “an intriguing and interesting conversation,” while Ashley Beltran appreciated the opportunity to hear both student and faculty perspectives. “We often recognize these issues but don’t always take action to address them,” she said. “I gained a better understanding of both the benefits and challenges AI presents.”
Lissie Carlevarino pointed out the balance needed in using AI: “Hearing the ways in which AI helps us instead of hurts us—of course everything in healthy limits.”
Other students emphasized AI’s broader implications. Devika Roopnarain found it “amazing to hear how AI can affect everyone, especially educationally,” while Azaria Ellis appreciated learning how AI is applied across fields beyond technology.
Student Chashman Khan summed up the conversation’s significance: “The forum highlighted how AI, if approached cautiously, can be a potent resource for teachers and students. It made me realize how AI can be a useful addition to the learning process when used responsibly.”
