Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education: Where Are We Going and How Are We Getting There?

George Siemens

Professor and Director of the Center for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), University of South Australia, Professor of Practice in Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington

George Siemens researches how human and artificial cognition intersect in knowledge processes. He has delivered keynote addresses in more than 40 countries on the influence of technology and media on education, organizations, and society. George is a founding president of the Society for Learning Analytics Research. He has advised government agencies and universities around the world on digital learning and utilizing learning analytics for assessing and evaluating productivity gains in the education sector and improving learner results. In 2008, he pioneered massive open online courses (MOOCs). His current projects, Global Research Alliance for AI in Learning and Education (GRAILE – www.graile.ai) and SenseAI focus on analyzing how AI is deployed in learning and knowledge settings and the leadership capabilities needed to enable and support this work. 

Karen Watté

WCET Steering Committee, Senior Director, Course Development and Training, Oregon State University Ecampus

Karen Watté serves as the Senior Director of Course Development and Training at Oregon State University Ecampus where she leads a large team of instructional designers, multimedia developers, and faculty development specialists to support faculty and departments across the institution in designing their courses for online delivery. She’s involved in multiple initiatives focused on improving quality in online course design and teaching. Her areas of focus include faculty professional development, organizational behavior, and online program management. She has special interest in the use of AI tools in online teaching and learning and currently also serves as a member of the WCET AI working group.

Van Davis

Chief Strategy Officer, WCET

vdavis@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Van joined WCET in 2021 as chief strategy officer where he is responsible for all aspects of WCET’s strategic planning; artificial intelligence research; diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; and assisting the team with policy and research efforts.

Van is a valuable asset to the team, having over 25 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, academic administrator, state policy maker, and edtech leader. Van holds a PhD in 20^th century US history with an emphasis in civil rights from Vanderbilt University, and his commitment to education is evidenced in both his professional and personal successes. Additionally, Van led the creation of the Texas adult degree complete project and the development of the first competency-based bachelor’s degrees at Texas public institutions of higher education during his time on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Van lives outside of Austin, Texas, with his beloved wife Lisa and two cats and, when not working, spends time collecting Lego models and dreaming of the day he can complete his western US camping trip. Van’s favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, and his favorite movie is Dr. Strangelove.