Artificial Intelligence

The Faculty AI Interest Group is a collaborative effort between the faculty and the Educational Technology and Research Computing team of the Office of Information Technology.

Learn more

• About Faculty Interest Group
• Faculty Posts about AI on the IT News Blog
• Posts about AI on the Fordham University News Site
• Faculty AI Group's Flipboard Magazine

Additional Resources

Visit these AI resources from other Jesuit institutions

• Boston College
• Georgetown
• Loyola Marymount University
• Santa Clara University
• University of San Francisco

Fordham's AI Vision Committee was established by Provost Dennis Jacobs in June 2023 to substantively assess the policies, strategies and safeguards with which Fordham could leverage the benefits of GAI tools in order to enhance teaching and research at the University.

A Proposal by Fordham’s AI Vision Committee

EDUCAUSE:  Introduction to AI

Fordham EdTech AI Guide

Additional Guides

• Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning Insights and Recommendations (May 2023) from the Office of Educational Technology of the US Department of Education
• AI Text Generators Sources to Stimulate Discussion Among Teachers, Anna Mills for the Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse as part of a larger resource collection: AI and Teaching Writing: Starting Points for Inquiry. 

About Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the capability of a computer system to mimic human cognitive functions such as learning and problem-solving. This term was coined in 1956.

AI can be broken down into two major fields:  Machine Learning and Deep Learning.  

Machine learning (ML) is the process of using mathematical models of data to help a computer learn without direct instruction.  

Deep learning involves training artificial neural networks to learn and make predictions from large amounts of data. It utilizes multiple layers of interconnected neurons to automatically extract meaningful patterns and features, enabling the network to progressively understand complex relationships and perform sophisticated tasks. 

Learn more:  Artificial Intelligence vs. Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning: What’s the Difference?

Fall 2024 Events

10/2/24 Presentation:  The Race to Regulate AI: Ethical Challenges in the Spaces and Places of Consent Provision (Dr. Florence M. Chee)

8/20/24 Workshops during Faculty EdTech Bootcamp

• Faculty AI Exchange:  Unlocking AI's Potential
  (Digital Citizenship and Essential Fordham Services) 
• Teaching AI Literacy to Your Students
  (Digital Citizenship and Essential Fordham Services) 
• Effortless Course Design with AI   
  (Blackboard)

5/22/24 Keynote at Faculty Technology Day: Teaching and Thinking with A.I. (co-presented by José Antonio Bowen, Ph.D. and C. Edward Watson, Ph.D.). For more information see www.fordham.edu/FTD

4/4/24 Workshop:  How to Build a Large Language Model (Dr. Ruhul Amin and Innocent Ababio)

3/15/24 Workshop:  Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative AI in Education: Building a Large Language Model (Dr. Ruhul Amin)

1/31/24 Workshop:  Blackboard AI Design Assistant (Kanchan Thaokar)

9/7/23 Workshop:  Teaching and Thinking with A.I. (José  Antonio Bowen, Ph.D.)

5/24/23 Conference:  Faculty Technology Day 

3/1/23 Faculty Panel:  Artificial Intelligence's Impact on Education 

2/7/23 Faculty Panel:  Threat or Opportunity?  The Impact of AI on Education (GSE)

2/1/23 Presentation:  Introduction to OpenAI's ChatGPT (Drs. Steven D'Agustino & Nicole Zeidan) 

Since the announcement of ChatGPT an industry of GAI detection tools has also been booming. Hundreds - and growing - products claim to be able to differentiate between a GAI text from that of a human being with a various level of accuracy. Yet none seem to be conclusive.

Caution is advised in testing and experimenting with these tools, as in several cases quite a few of them marked a clearly human generated text as that of a GAI and vice versa. Such mistakes could have potential ethical and legal ramifications. Much research and experimentation is needed to these tools as this industry is still in its development

In addition, you need to be careful with what type of data you share. Avoid putting you and your students' data into any AI system.  When utilizing AI tools, bear in mind the importance of understanding regulations and policies governing Fordham Protected and Fordham Sensitive Data. Fordham University’s Data Classification and Protection Policy applies to all data produced, collected, stored, or used by the University, its employees, student workers, consultants, and agents during their relationship with the University. 

For information about the difference between sensitive, protected, and public data please visit Fordham's Data Classification Guidelines.

For information about Fordham's AI Policy please visit AI Vision Committee Recommendations.

Fordham AI Tools

Introducing Fordham-supported AI Tools for Learning and Productivity (Blackboard, Google Gemini, Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, Zoom)

Bb Mailbag: AI Design Assistant

AI Detection Tools

Currently, there is no recommended detection tool with overwhelming accuracy. Some even produce false positives. Please do not rely on any detection tool alone.

• Winston AI Winston AI is a free tool to help check AI content generated with ChatGPT, GPT-4, Bard, Bing Chat, Claude, and many more Large Language Models.  Winston AI claims to have a tested accuracy rate of ninety-nine point six percent.
• ZeroGPT ZeroGPT is a free tool to detect if a text was written by an AI tool like Chat GPT or by a human or even a mix of content. ZeroGPT, based on the DeepAnalyse™ Technology, claims to have a tested accuracy rate of over ninety-eight percent.
• List of other detection Tools

RESOURCES

• How Detention Tools Work
• Detection Tools efficiency
• EDUCAUSE QuickPoll Results: Did ChatGPT Write This Report? (2/14/23, EDUCAUSE)
  
• How to spot an AI cheater (By Alex O'Brien, 7/20/23)
• Professors Are Grappling With an Excruciating Assignment (by Nikki Usher, 5/4/23)

Privacy, Copyright, and Security Concerns

• Generative Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Law (3/2/23, EDUCAUSE)
• Data Security and Data Classification

More Tools

Teaching and Learning in an Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Faculty members interested in conducting face-to-face exams:

To improve the integrity of your in-person exams and reduce distractions we have a solution that simplifies your life and ensures your students are fully engaged during exams.  We suggest utilizing the powerful software called Insight, which is installed in the computer labs on campus.  

By blocking internet access, external drives, and other programs during the exam, Insight creates a focused environment. It provides only necessary software such as a word processor and Blackboard for file uploads. 

If you are interested in this mode of examination, you will need to reserve a computer lab for the date and time of your exam, then contact the technical lab managers for guidance on Insight. 

Contact information and Resources

Lincoln Center: Lowenstein rooms: 312, 304-306 and 309
Rose Hill rooms: Keating 318-317 and 320, and the Language Lab
Stafford Davis: Teaching Labs Manager, [email protected]

Creating Tests in Blackboard:  video tutorial or instructor manual
Workshops
EdTech Consultation Calendar
[email protected]