How Cincinnati universities are embracing AI while prioritizing ethics

Artificial intelligence is officially ubiquitous. Even as we struggle to understand how to use it and anticipate the ramifications of its widespread integration, it’s being adopted in ever more applications literally by the day. For context, ChatGPT had one of the fastest adoption curves ever recorded, with millions of users trying the tech within weeks of its public release in late 2022. Compare that to the Internet, which took almost 40 years to reach a similar user base after slowly coming online in the 1970s. Even smartphone adoption unfolded at a snail’s pace in comparison, taking about a decade to become mainstream. Experts attribute this whiplash-inducing speed to the way that AI has neatly bypassed traditional adoption hurdles by being free, intuitive and immediately impactful for personal and professional use.

In academic spheres, there’s much hand-wringing about the impact of artificial intelligence. How will we stop students from using it to cheat? Will it stunt their brains by doing too much of the work for them? If AI does the writing, will students even be able to construct sentences or emails on their own? Some AI opponents even advocate for banning it entirely from academia.

In the greater Cincinnati area, however, universities are welcoming AI into the academic fold—but with the same curiosity and caution with which they would treat any burgeoning field. It’s a simultaneously bold and thoughtful approach that both harnesses the power of this amazing new technology and scrutinizes its potential pitfalls. Here’s a look at how artificial intelligence is showing up in Cincinnati academia, from new degrees and centers to fresh research.

AI-focused degrees

In the summer of 2024, University of Cincinnati announced its AI in Business graduate certificate, which can be completed as a standalone certification or in conjunction with the Lindner MBA, Master of Science in Business Analytics or the Master of Science in Information Systems programs.

“AI is becoming a big part of business, and a lot of people want to upskill on AI quickly and learn how to apply AI to business,” said Sachin Modi, PhD, professor and head of Lindner’s department of operations, business analytics, and information systems.

For those with a BA in engineering, engineering tech, computer science or closely related degrees, UC also offers an AI-focused Master’s in Engineering.

In October, Miami University of Ohio introduced a new Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence. “This program is about strategically preparing a new generation of leaders to responsibly harness the transformative power of AI across every sector, ensuring our graduates are immediately valuable in the rapidly evolving global economy. This interdisciplinary approach is exactly how a modern university responds to a world being reshaped by technology,” said Beena Sukumaran, the Dinesh and ILA Paliwal Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing.

This fall, Xavier University introduced a new major in artificial intelligence as well, alongside four other offerings: cybersecurity, genetics, neuroscience and microbiology. Their interdisciplinary AI offering focuses on building the skills to develop intelligent systems and applications, teaching machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. Additionally, students examine the ethical implications of AI, exploring the potential benefits and challenges for society.

At Northern Kentucky University, all students have the opportunity to earn a minor in applied artificial intelligence. This approach allows students from any major to more deeply explore how AI affects their major field of study and their future careers. Similarly to the programs at UC, Miami and Xavier, the coursework combines foundational and practical knowledge with a look into societal, ethical and legal implications of AI.

Universities invite AI into the humanities

Alongside the newly minted AI-focused degrees, two area universities are also launching centers to closely examine the ethics of AI usage as the technology continues to be ever more broadly woven into the fabric of society. At UC, it’s the Center for Explainable, Ethical, and Trustworthy AI (CEET), a first-of-its-kind hub for humanities-based research and public engagement on the societal dimensions of artificial intelligence. “AI impacts all human beings, and it is our responsibility as humanists to ensure we use it properly,” said Dean James Mack, one of the five-member interdisciplinary team leading the center representing philosophy, English and physics.

At Miami University, they’ve renamed their Humanities Center the Altman Institute for the Humanities, which focuses on equipping students with crucial skills for the technological age through research apprenticeships, applied-learning labs, and student-driven projects.

“The humanities are essential to AI-proofing graduates for a fast-moving technological world, preparing graduates who are not only technically proficient but also broadly educated, ethically grounded, and intellectually resilient,” said Renée Baernstein, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

AI in research

Various AI-centered research projects are also taking place in Cincinnati’s universities, led by both students and faculty. From analyzing data about stroke patients to transparency-focused policy building and equitable practices in medical billing, AI is showing up across virtually every field of study. 

If you’re interested in a degree in artificial intelligence, or joining community discussions about its responsible usage, greater Cincinnati’s universities offer a wealth of opportunities. And if you want to find out more about any of it, well then you might start by asking ChatGPT. It doesn’t always have all the (right) answers, but there are worse places to get started. Learn more about regional curricula and approach AI output with equal parts curiosity and caution.