WSU Global Summit: Panelists Discuss Faster AI Implementation

WSU recently held a series of panels regarding AI during its Global Summit on March 12 and 13. While the panels were broadcasted over Zoom to other WSU campuses, there were 45 minute in-person forums at WSUV where attendees could discuss their opinions on the concepts brought forward.

Of the 6 panels conducted, the VanCougar was able to attend 4 of them. The VanCougar has covered 2 panels which discussed AI applications in the education field as well as student use of AI, while this article covers 2 panels regarding AI deregulation and implementation.

During the panel entitled “The Impact Agenda: Legislative Experts Working with WSU Discuss How Policy and Funding Priorities Shape Higher Education–and How WSU’s Land-Grant Mission Can Drive Impact Across the State,” discussions focused on efforts of the Trump administration to deregulate AI for the sake of faster advancement.

The panel was moderated by Jake Dowd, WSU’s Director of Federal Relations, and featured folks from Cornerstone Government Affairs, a consulting political firm that lobbies in Washington D.C, as well as Noah An, a tech policy analyst for Senator Patty Murray (D – WA State).

Folks from Cornerstone discussed 6 executive orders from Trump regarding AI, and characterized Trump’s deregulatory approach as an “adoption forward” approach. These discussions included Trump wanting the U.S to be at the forefront of AI development, and the inability for AI regulation to gain traction in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

Noah A said that Senator Murray understands the concerns that come with AI development, but is excited for the array of opportunities that it can bring. Some examples mentioned included speeding up investments in healthcare and education. Noah An also said that there will be challenges at a “societal level” as it pertains to environmental impacts, mental health and privacy concerns.

In the forum attendees expressed concern over the cost of WSU implementing AI, but did agree that AI could be useful for Agriculture and 4-H programs, as well as how beneficial those programs are to the community and the State of Washington. 

During the panel entitled “The Excellence Exchange: Higher Education Leaders Share Insights on Emerging Challenges, Opportunities, and the Evolving Landscape Facing Colleges and Universities,” discussions centered on the importance of implementing AI sooner rather than later.

The panel was moderated by Kerri Davidson, the WSU Chief Administrative Officer and Vice President for Institutional Affairs. The panel included Sally Amoruso, a Chief Partner at the Education Advisory Board (EAB), and Ed Harri, a Vice President for Northwest Commissions on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Amoruso said that the unemployment rate for newly graduated students is higher than the general unemployment rate, adding that this reflects how companies are starting to replace entry level jobs with AI. She said in regard to this that networking will be more important than ever to combat this.

Amoruso also emphasized that AI should be used as a tool, and not just implemented for the sake of implementing AI. She said that academic institutions should focus on deploying AI in areas where it can elevate institutional priorities, and that colleges shouldn’t wait until AI is fully developed to make ethical guidelines, but should allow those guidelines to adapt as AI develops.

Harri said that it becomes difficult for students when there is no clarity or clear guidelines on AI, or when the expectations of its usage differ from class to class. Later on he described a completely AI-based institution, where classes and the curriculum were fully integrated with AI, as a “win-win” for everybody. The effects that this may have on degrees like creative writing or theater were not discussed.

Attendee concerns in the forum included fair hiring practices, students not knowing guidelines around AI, and the discrimination of students finding jobs who don’t have the connections to network fully.