NYC Gazette

The City University of New York (CUNY) has received a $200,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation to develop public teaching materials on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). This summer, 30 faculty members created hands-on project assignments and materials aimed at enhancing students' AI literacy and educating them about the challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving technology.

These materials will be used in classes this fall and widely disseminated next spring as open educational resources (OER), which are free to the public and designed to be shared and adapted by users.

"Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology that brings exciting possibilities for advancing learning and research but also confronts us with critical questions about academic integrity and equitable access to technology," said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. "With this funding, CUNY can further address the challenges ahead and ensure that our students are prepared for a future that will be increasingly shaped by AI in the workplace and beyond. We thank Lumina for its support of this forward-thinking project."

"The ethical use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence is a crucial area of focus for the future of higher education," said Lumina President Jamie Merisotis. "We are proud to support CUNY’s efforts to develop innovative teaching tools that not only advance AI literacy but also ensure that today’s students are prepared to navigate the complexities and ethical considerations of this evolving technology. By fostering collaboration and making these resources widely available, CUNY is leading the way to enhance educational equity and empower learners nationwide."

The initiative, called Building Bridges of Knowledge, involves teams of faculty fellows in five academic areas: education, STEM, social sciences, health, and humanities. Each team is led by a faculty member with expertise in AI.

Among the projects developed are customized chatbots designed by education students at York College. These chatbots will be trained with information tailored to classroom needs. In another example, psychology students at Lehman College will use generative AI models like ChatGPT to develop research questions and enhance their data collection processes. At Borough of Manhattan Community College, health studies students will learn to distinguish between evidence-based health information and misinformation by generating false health news stories.

Each project includes discussions on ethical practices and potential misuses of AI in education. The materials aim to equip students with skills necessary for an AI-driven workforce while reflecting diverse perspectives within CUNY.

Following refinement after the fall semester, these materials will be made available across CUNY next spring via OpenEd CUNY, potentially benefiting educators nationwide. This initiative builds on previous efforts such as a series of online workshops on generative AI conducted by the CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy.

CUNY's involvement with AI extends beyond classroom initiatives; it participates in Empire AI, a consortium established by Governor Kathy Hochul aimed at creating an advanced artificial intelligence computing center. This participation is supported by a $25 million grant from the Simons Foundation.

CUNY serves over 233,000 undergraduate and graduate students across New York City's five boroughs through its seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges, and seven graduate or professional institutions. The university's mission remains focused on providing high-quality public education regardless of means or background.

For more information about CUNY, visit https://www.cuny.edu.