The University of Waterloo is strengthening its leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) education with two initiatives: an open online AI literacy course for its community and a Waterloo.AI workshop on generative AI in K-12 education. Together, these initiatives highlight the University's commitment to fostering responsible AI knowledge and shaping a future where AI is thoughtfully understood and applied across all levels of education and society.
New online course on AI for society
To deepen AI literacy and provoke critical thought around the societal implications of artificial intelligence, Waterloo has introduced Artificial Intelligence and Society, an online course available to students, faculty and staff through the University's online platform, LEARN. This interdisciplinary course, developed by faculty members from Arts, Engineering, Health and Math, explores the ethical, social and economic dimensions of AI through 11 self-paced modules.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the course enables learners to select topics based on their interests, whether it's the basics of machine learning or the role of AI in health care and public trust.
"AI technology is reshaping how we live, work and learn and it's essential that our community is equipped to engage with these changes responsibly," says Dr. Anindya Sen, acting executive director for the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) and a member of Waterloo Data and AI, who led the development of AI for Society. "This course is for anyone impacted by AI - not just future technologists but anyone who interacts with AI-driven systems, from health-care applications to educational tools. It also emphasizes the implications for individual privacy and the challenges posed by the massive datasets fueling AI."
The course, developed with support from CPI, Waterloo.AI and the TRuST Network, seeks to stimulate a more informed public dialogue about AI technologies. Faculty are also encouraged to incorporate modules into their own AI-related courses, extending the reach of this resource across academic disciplines.
"Learning more about the impact of AI and its societal impact is vital for learners as they navigate their day-to-day lives," says Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor at the University of Waterloo. "This course speaks to the Global Futures outlined in our strategic vision (sustainability, health, technological, economic and societal) and the need to better understand the challenges within the intersections of these futures where solutions can be discovered that will lead to positive impacts on our world."
Waterloo.AI workshop explores generative AI in K-12 education
Waterloo's commitment to AI education extends beyond campus through initiatives aimed at younger learners. Recently, Waterloo.AI hosted a day-long workshop on the potential of generative AI in K-12 education, bringing together researchers, K-12 teachers, administrators and education experts.
The workshop addressed if and how educators and students can effectively integrate AI tools in the classroom, addressing challenges in using AI to enhance learning while safeguarding academic integrity and comprehension.
"We know that there's great potential for using AI as a teaching and learning tool," says Dr. Jimmy Lin, professor of Computer Science and co-director of Waterloo.AI. "A big part of what we hoped to achieve is to dispel some of the myths and fears around using AI in the classroom. We're shortchanging our students if we apply blanket bans to AI."
Lin was joined by Waterloo faculty and teaching experts, along with K-12 administrators and teachers, in leading a series of panels that explored the capabilities of large language models and best practices for their application in education. The workshop aligns with Waterloo.AI's mission to foster a nuanced understanding of AI, especially as its adoption accelerates across sectors.
A commitment to responsible AI education
"AI is a rapidly evolving technology and here at the University of Waterloo, we recognize that we need to stay nimble to create maximum impact," says Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International. "Education, information and preparedness have never been more important, and faculty members like Dr. Sen and Dr. Lin, are helping to pave the way with their respective initiatives and interdisciplinary collaborations."
Both AI for Society and the K-12 workshop embody the University's leadership in AI education. These initiatives not only expand AI literacy across academic and age groups but also encourage critical thinking on how these powerful technologies are used. In providing accessible resources for the community and exploring the potential of AI at the K-12 level, Waterloo is setting an example of responsible AI education that prepares learners to engage with AI thoughtfully and ethically.
The Artificial Intelligence and Society course is available on Waterloo's LEARN self registration platform.
