The Future of the University in the Context of AI Philosophy: Opportunities and Risks
The Mission of the Modern University in the Challenges of Transformation in a Multipolar World, Moscow, Russia, 5 - 07 February 2025, (Unpublished)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Unpublished
- City: Moscow
- Country: Russia
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The
Future of the University in the Context of AI Philosophy: Opportunities and
Risks
Prof. Dr. Osman Bilen
Dokuz Eylül University İlahiyat
Faculty, izmir, Türkiye
Orcid: 0000-0002-7910-1634, osman.bilen@deu.edu.tr
Abstract
Among the most remarkable recent statements
about artificial intelligence (AI) is the following: "AI can do amazing
things that humans cannot." Studies on the Artificial intelligence started
with the purpose of machine automation for certain tasks in mass production and
control systems, expanded in a broader area and used in the sense of
intelligence shown by machines, especially computer systems. Recent developments in this area of computer
science research that develops and studies techniques and software that allow
machines to understand natural language and use learning and intelligence to
carry out activities that are usually done only by humans. Universities have
made a great contribution to this type of scientific and technological
developments. The university has developed over time with various functions
that include basic functions such as research, publication and teaching. The
research activities of the universities were mainly focused on natural and
applied sciences, while in area of human sciences focus were mainly to preserve
and reinterpret traditional arts and literature and culture and history. Since
these fields are mostly culturally and historically dependent, research and
practice in the field of humanities have remained of more local and less
universal value.
After the spread of the global Covid-19
pandemic, against this common threat solidarity of nations and universal
solutions have also gained a new momentum and dimension. The use of digital
communication and online education has played vital role in managing health
problems, education programs, transportation and production processes. In the two-year period between 2020-2022,
the widespread use and dependence on online resources of information have made
it almost a norm to share all digital publications and teaching materials have
become widely available. Artificial intelligence for its main source of
algorithms is fed from these digital materials and the production of mass
amount of information through the large language models are accelerated.
Universities also played a leading role in this process.
With the spread of AI-generated networks,
many ethical concerns and safety risks
have also emerged so far: Disinformation, bias, social inequality and economic
instability, environmental impact,
industry concentration, hallucinations created by large language models. These
risk opens a new opportunity for universities to reform in their curriculum and
carry out more research in humanities and social sciences. The following paper
will deal briefly with these risks and opportunities.