Trustees hear presentation on artificial intelligence in teaching and call for system investment in infrastructure and governance

The board heard a presentation on Jan. 23, 2025 about the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms and educational programs across the University of Illinois System.

Dr. Kia Hobbs, associate professor of clinical family medicine and chair of the Academic Affairs and Research Committee for the University Senate Conference, described how generative AI and related technologies are already being used in courses and research across the three universities. Dr. Hobbs highlighted initiatives at the University of Illinois Springfield(Orion Lab and an AI campus learning community), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (course offerings, certificates, and roughly $270 million in AI-related research projects cited for UIUC since 2019) and University of Illinois Chicago (symposia and multidisciplinary AI efforts tied to health, climate and equity research).

Hobbs urged trustees to support investments in shared infrastructure so faculty across campuses can pilot AI-driven teaching tools, virtual and augmented-reality installations and high-performance computing resources. She also emphasized the need for governance, oversight and guardrails to address risks such as academic integrity, privacy and equity in access to AI tools. Trustees asked questions about safeguards, support for midcareer faculty and how grant-funded research resources differ from institutional funding for campus-wide infrastructure. Hobbs said much of the AI work to date was supported by external grants and that she recommended the system set aside dedicated funds to expand access and build infrastructure for faculty and students.

Trustees thanked Hobbs for the presentation and asked administration to provide follow-up on infrastructure needs and governance approaches.