What Happens if We Get AI Right?

In his latest book, Reclaiming Purpose: The University in an AI World (Wiley), former Southern New Hampshire University President Paul LeBlanc challenges readers to imagine the possibilities of artificial intelligence both as a learning tool and a catalyst for a human skills–based economy. 

In an AI world, higher ed institutions will shift from knowledge transfer to human flourishing by using hyperpersonalized learning platforms to teach foundational knowledge. In the classroom, students will develop interpersonal skills and human capacity. “We can use AI to get back to a much more human-centered understanding of learning, and we know, from all of our experience, that that’s the most powerful,” he said on a recent episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed’s news and analysis podcast. 

Colleges will prepare students for a new workforce disrupted and redefined by the prevalence of AI. The knowledge economy, displaced by AI’s information-processing capacity, will be rebuilt as a “care economy” that values human-centered jobs, he argued. 

“I’m in the camp that believes that AI will do to many white-collar jobs what automation did to many blue-collar jobs,” he said. “So my notion is that in the future talent will move over to those jobs that are called ‘care economy’ jobs in which we want humans to do the work. They are about helping and uplifting other human beings, which, generally speaking, when we do those jobs well, makes our community better. They make our society better.”

LeBlanc also urged institutions to reclaim their role as leaders in AI design and development. “Universities are the only entities in this culture I trust to get this right,” he said, referring to building AI systems that benefit the planet, a healthy society and human well-being. “We are in such a defensive crouch, and I understand why in this relentless attack—and, frankly, some of it of our own making as an industry—but this is a time when we need to get our mojo back.”

Listen to the full episode here.