Spelman College, a historically Black liberal arts institution for women, has appointed Ayanna Howard, a prominent roboticist and artificial intelligence expert, as its new president. This marks a shift for the college, which has traditionally chosen leaders from fields like medicine, anthropology, and psychology.
Dr. Howard, formerly the dean of the engineering college at Ohio State University, emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into the liberal arts curriculum. In her view, it is crucial for students to critically examine AI’s implications on the global workforce.
Students need to ask: Just because we can, should we?
Spelman’s small size and high academic standards, Dr. Howard noted, enable it to adapt swiftly to the ongoing AI developments. Although she plans to introduce changes, these will align with Spelman’s established legacy and will involve collaboration with faculty and students.
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