AI on campus—a conversation about education with VUB's Chancellor, Jan Danckaert

Watch the episode with (automated) subtitles on YouTube. 

AI’s evolving at such a rapid pace that a project from just six months ago might already seem outdated. That's why we captured this insightful discussion at the FARI Institute in Brussels. Join us and Jan Danckaert, Chancellor of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), as we explore AI not as a mere tool, but as a transformative force in education, research, and governance.

We begin by uncovering the often-overlooked context. VUB has been pioneering artificial intelligence since the 1980s, and the current surge in large language models feels like both a nod to AI's origins and a significant technological advancement. Jan shares how AI’s propelling scientific progress in areas like chemistry and biomedicine, why AI-designed chips are steepening the innovation curve, and how energy consumption might soon be the real constraint. 

Next, we delve into practical applications. We examine real-world AI implementations within a university setting—analysing thousands of course descriptions to identify outdated assessment methods, expediting student appeal processes while maintaining human oversight, and leveraging AI to access institutional memory in governance. We also explore student behaviour, including AI's unexpected role in psychological support and its implications for personalised tutoring in diverse classrooms.

We conclude with clear guidelines, ethical considerations, and Europe's influence in AI regulation and competitiveness, along with insights into future workforce skills in law, translation, engineering, and coding. Subscribe, share with others, and leave a review. Tell us—where should AI transform learning first? 

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