Artificial intelligence is evolving at a breakneck pace, and UC Santa Barbara is jumping right into the conversation with its second annual AI Spring Symposium. This year’s event, titled “AI in Action: Insights from the UCSB Community,” promises to be a fascinating dive into the world of AI. Organized by the Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice (CoP), the symposium is set to run virtually from April 28th to May 2nd, and it’s open to everyone interested in the topic.
The symposium covers a wide array of topics, from chatbots and AI in medical practices to the roles tools like ChatGPT play in higher education. Lisa Berry, a co-organizer and senior instructional consultant at UCSB, sees this as a golden opportunity to explore AI’s impact on education. “I’m always curious about what people are already doing with AI on campus and what sparks their curiosity. This event is about exploring those interests in a scholarly way,” she explained.
Joe Sabado, CoP co-director and deputy chief information officer, emphasizes the welcoming nature of the symposium. “We want to create a community where everyone feels they can join in,” he said. The event is a team effort with the Department of Communication’s Rupe Conference, which looks at how digital media affects society. This year, there’s a strong focus on teaching and how students interact with generative AI technologies, aligning with the organizers’ mission to blend AI use with academic research.
Sabado and Berry are keen for attendees to engage in conversations beyond the virtual sessions. They’re offering more social opportunities this year. “We’ve set these up at the end of the day on Monday and Tuesday, so after hearing some inspiring talks, people have a space to discuss them,” Sabado mentioned. Whether you’re new to AI or have your doubts, this symposium offers a chance to learn and ask questions in a supportive environment. “Everyone’s welcome, regardless of your views on AI. We’re all learning together,” Berry concluded.
