Roxanne Gasana

From Wednesday through Friday, Berry representatives are attending an American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) conference  focused on Artificial Intelligence in higher education along with students and faculty from other universities to discuss how to respond to AI in the classroom and workplace.

The representatives from Berry include President Sandeep Mazumder, Provost David Slade and communication professor Brian Carroll. Students Efrain Iglesias and Faith Crockett will be attending as well, after taking Berry’s first AI course taught by Carroll last semester.

Carroll said the growing popularity of AI has made it necessary for colleges to consider how the technology fits into education.

“AI is as big a game changer as I’ve ever encountered in my quarter century of teaching,” Carroll said. “The only analogue that I can think of is the internet.”

The conference will give colleges a chance to discuss how to approach AI as one instead of having differing policies. Iglesias said he sees the gathering as a chance for institutions to share experiences, including how students use AI, how academic integrity is affected and how the technology can be used responsibly.

“It’s essentially a collaboration table of what works, what doesn’t work, how students are cheating, how they are using it ethically and what to do in accordance with these questions,” Iglesias said.

For Carroll, however, the conference comes with significant concerns about AI’s broader effects. He expressed strong reservations about the potential consequences for humanity and the environment, particularly the resources needed to sustain the data centers that power it. He connected AI’s environmental impact to climate change and pointing to water usage as well as other resources required to operate data centers.

“Expanding AI infrastructure places heavy demands on local resources,” Carroll said. “There’s a Microsoft data center planned for the Rome area that is going to use nearly 135,000 gallons of water per day.”

Despite these concerns, Carroll acknowledged that AI has had benefits in his work as a professor. He said the technology has helped him become more productive and creative in developing courses and engaging with students.

“I have gotten so much more done,” Carroll said. “I have been much more creative in delivering my courses and in the conversations I get to have with students.”

Carroll’s experience reflects AI’s usefulness in specific tasks alongside concerns about its broader consequences.

“The way people respond to AI often depends on what aspect of the technology they are considering, as well as their personal views and experiences,” Carroll said.

As a graduate student, Iglesias has also observed changes in how educators approach AI. During his time at Berry, he has seen some professors move from opposing the technology to exploring ways it might be incorporated into coursework. Although he does not believe everyone needs to embrace AI, Iglesias said students should understand how it works and how it might be used before entering the workforce.

“I’m not preaching any AI or trying to convert people to use AI, but I feel like it’s very helpful for students to at least be aware and know that those options are available,” Iglesias said.

As a marketing graduate assistant, Iglesias sees AI as a technology that is increasingly appearing across professional fields, including journalism, media creation and marketing. He said students should have opportunities to experiment with it in college so they can make informed decisions about using it in their careers.

“You want to be your own person with your own thoughts and your own ideas, and then use AI like a tool, like you would Grammarly or anything else,” Iglesias said.

Carroll similarly said that colleges must prepare students to understand AI, even if they decide against using it in certain situations. He said employers are already using the technology, making familiarity with AI important for students preparing for employment.

“Industries have already integrated AI, so if we expect to prepare students to be job-ready, then they need to have some facility with AI,” Carroll said. “People who think it’s a choice are living a fantasy.”

However, Carroll added that learning to use AI also means understanding when it may be inappropriate. He pointed to copyright as one reason someone might choose not to use AI for a particular task and said students should be able to explain those decisions to potential employers.

The conference will revolve around how colleges can maintain academic integrity as AI becomes more accessible. Iglesias said students are already using the technology, making it important for institutions to establish clear expectations rather than leave its use unaddressed.

“Colleges cannot control every decision students make, but they can provide guidance and opportunities to learn about responsible use,” Iglesias said. “It’s like learning from your parents. Guidance can help, but you ultimately have to make your own decisions and learn from your experiences.”

Iglesias said he has appreciated seeing Berry engage in conversations about AI and how students can prepare for the professional world while maintaining their own values.

“The college experience gives students a place to experiment with new tools and learn from mistakes before encountering workplace expectations,” Iglesias said.

For Iglesias, attending the conference is also an opportunity to hear perspectives from college leaders and professors beyond the classroom.

“I really hope to better understand what educators find concerning or promising about AI and how institutions are approaching its integration,” Iglesias said.

The participation of students who completed Berry’s first Responsible AI course is particularly meaningful, and having students from that initial class represent Berry at the conference is an encouraging outcome of the college’s early efforts to address AI. Carroll said Berry must consider AI at different levels while preserving the ability of instructors and students to make their own decisions.

“Preparing students for the future requires familiarity with the technology, but that does not mean ignoring its risks or assuming it is appropriate for every situation,” Carroll said.