{"id":46649,"date":"2025-07-07T18:38:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T18:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/46649\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T18:38:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T18:38:08","slug":"it-summit-focuses-on-balancing-ai-challenges-and-opportunities-harvard-gazette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/46649\/","title":{"rendered":"IT Summit focuses on balancing AI challenges and opportunities \u2014 Harvard Gazette"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exploring the critical role of technology in advancing Harvard\u2019s mission and the potential of generative AI to reshape the academic and operational landscape were the key topics discussed during University\u2019s 12th annual IT Summit<\/a>. Hosted by the CIO Council<\/a>, the June 11 event attracted more than 1,000 Harvard IT professionals.<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnology underpins every aspect of Harvard,\u201d said Klara Jelinkova<\/a>, vice president and University chief information officer, who opened the event by praising IT staff for their impact across the University.<\/p>\n

That sentiment was echoed by keynote speaker Michael D. Smith<\/a>, the John H. Finley Jr. Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, who described \u201cpeople, physical spaces, and digital technologies\u201d as three of the core pillars supporting Harvard\u2019s programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In his address, \u201cYou, Me, and ChatGPT: Lessons and Predictions,\u201d Smith explored the balance between the challenges and the opportunities of using generative AI tools.\u00a0He pointed to an \u201cexplainability problem\u201d in generative AI tools and how they can produce responses that sound convincing but lack transparent reasoning: \u201cIs this answer correct, or does it just look good?\u201d Smith also highlighted the challenges of user frustration due to bad prompts, \u201challucinations,\u201d and the risk of overreliance on AI for critical thinking, given its \u201ceagerness\u201d to answer questions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In showcasing innovative coursework from students, Smith highlighted the transformative potential of \u201ctutorbots,\u201d or AI tools trained on course content that can offer students instant, around-the-clock assistance. AI is here to stay, Smith noted, so educators must prepare students for this future by ensuring they become sophisticated, effective users of the technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Asked by Jelinkova how IT staff can help students and faculty, Smith urged the audience to identify early adopters of new technologies to \u201cunderstand better what it is they are trying to do\u201d and support them through the \u201cpain\u201d of learning a new tool. Understanding these uses and fostering collaboration can accelerate adoption and \u201ceventually propagate to the rest of the institution.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The spirit of innovation and IT\u2019s central role at Harvard continued throughout the day\u2019s programming, which was organized into four pillars:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n