While the website primarily highlights generative AI due to its novelty and widespread use, it also provides a comprehensive overview of various AI model advancements, events and communities across the university.
Emphasizing AI as a tool to enhance – not replace – human intelligence, ASU encourages community members and beyond to stay informed about and engage with the evolving AI landscape.
Designing and upholding ethical guidelines
ASU's efforts to advance AI is grounded in the university's ninth design aspiration of Principled Innovation®. Through this approach, initiatives are measured by not only robustness but also their capacity to generate positive change for humanity.
To prepare for the complex ethical implications posed by novel AI adaptations, ASU has established various communities of practice. These include an in-house Faculty Ethics Committee on AI Technologies, as well as a group of faculty and staff advising on keeping ASU on the cutting edge as the AI ecosystem continues to evolve. In addition ASU has identified a distinguished and diverse set of external AI thought leaders to help guide the ASU Public Enterprise going forward.
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Gonick emphasizes the significance of this collaborative effort: “ASU is in the business of knowledge creation. We have a group of faculty research work that sets us apart and allows us to create a cross-disciplinary approach around ethics driving the creation and adoption of AI practices.”
Placing ethics at the forefront, ASU champions a culture of responsible, human-centered AI model development, paving the way for curated AI tools that amplify teaching, learning, creativity and research.
Crafting accessible AI models for learners and educators
Alongside the launch of the AI website, ASU also unveils a first look at its new AI application platform: BetaLand. Currently in its demo stage, the platform intends to offer a hub for educators to browse prototype AI models that have the potential to be widely accessed and implemented in their curriculum.
"BetaLand is a unique approach to explore, test, play, and evaluate generative AI platforms inside a trusted and secure platform," says Elizabeth Reilley, executive director of AI Acceleration and leader of the team responsible for developing BetaLand. "There is a significant opportunity to democratize generative AI and create a community that partners to develop prototype applications inside a secure, walled garden platform.”
At launch, BetaLand will invite select contributors to explore ASU's ongoing model development efforts, which currently include model evaluation and comparison apps, custom-made chatbots and more soon to come.
Continually advancing AI efforts
As ASU's goals and initiatives surrounding AI continue to evolve, the university will regularly update its AI landing page to mirror the ongoing development of its AI projects. We invite the community to explore these efforts and engage with upcoming AI news and events by visiting the website at ai.asu.edu.