Franklin Regional administrators have temporarily halted a proposed summer student program centered around artificial intelligence following concerns regarding its content.
Inspirit AI, an eight-session summer initiative created and instructed by alumni of Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is at the core of the discussion.
The program description outlines that students will delve into the foundational principles of AI, exploring its applications in developing ChatGPT, generative AI, combating the covid-19 crisis, enabling autonomous vehicles, and more. Participants will also engage in Python programming for AI and engage in conversations about the ethical and biased aspects of AI.
During the board meeting on March 25, school board member Josh Zebrak expressed his objection to delving into discussions about ethics and bias, emphasizing a focus on the technical aspects of AI and programming methodologies.
Conversely, fellow board member Scott Weinman, a senior IT security analyst at the University of Pittsburgh, stressed the significance of comprehending how ethics and biases can impact AI outcomes, asserting that this understanding is fundamental to grasping artificial intelligence holistically.
While Zebrak acknowledged the expertise of the instructors from Stanford and MIT, he advocated for the exclusion of discussions on ethics and bias, concerned that it might lead to subjective opinions being imparted onto students.
Superintendent Gennaro Piraino and other board members highlighted the increasing integration of AI into daily life and emphasized the necessity of ethical AI utilization. Piraino underscored the importance of ethical AI practices, expressing concerns about the potential misuse of AI technologies.
The proposed voluntary summer program, priced at $1,500 per student, awaits further curriculum details for review before a potential approval at the upcoming April 8 board meeting.
Zebrak reiterated the importance of educating students comprehensively for the future, including discussions on ethics and biases within AI processes. However, he questioned whether graduates from prestigious institutions should lead these discussions.
The school board’s forthcoming meeting on April 8 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Murrysville Municipal Building, 4100 Sardis Road, with live broadcasts available on Comcast local access Channel 21.
Patrick Varine, a TribLive journalist covering Delmont, Export, and Murrysville, will continue to provide updates on this evolving story. He can be contacted at [email protected] for further inquiries.
