Introduction to the Speaker
Dr. Luis Alfonso Osorno Montes, the Coordinator of Academic Processes in Exact Sciences and Engineering at UNIVA Guadalajara, shares his insights on the digital transformation in university life and the importance of preparing students to use technology ethically and with a human-centered approach.
The Rise of AI in Universities
As a child, Dr. Osorno Montes dreamt of inventing technology similar to what he saw in movies and cartoons. After reading Isaac Asimov’s “I, Robot” (1950), he realized that these fantasies would become reality in a different way than imagined.
Now, with the ability to converse with Artificial Intelligence (AI), this once science fiction robot with a monotone voice and glowing eyes has become a new classroom companion. AI is rapidly transforming business models, social interaction, education, and everything within its reach.
Growing Use of AI in Universities
The use of AI in universities is significantly increasing. Students and faculty involve AI in planning, material generation, evaluation, and research processes.
AI-driven transformation of the learning environment inspires going beyond mere application to fostering critical thinking and enriching the learning experience.
Benefits and Concerns of AI in Education
Zepeda Hurtado et al. (2024) highlight that AI’s capacity for personalized learning, automating processes, and improving educational decision-making is appreciated. However, concerns arise regarding whether universities are forming solution designers or merely users and the relevance of a curricular transformation that includes data ethics and computational thinking as transversal competencies.
AI enables adaptive systems through the analysis of student data, allowing tailored learning paths based on individual needs, pace, and learning styles.
However, this academic performance enhancement also brings risks such as technological dependency, loss of critical thinking, and student autonomy. Chao-Rebolledo and Rivera-Navarro (2024) emphasize the need for institutional policies and teacher training processes that enable productive, critical, and creative coexistence of AI tools without losing sight of the human, social, and formative impact.
Challenges of AI Integration in Higher Education
The integration of AI in higher education presents challenges that cannot be ignored, including data privacy, algorithmic transparency, equitable access and use of technology, and the need for human supervision in automated processes.
Policy and Ethical Development
Marcos normativos like the EU’s AI Regulation, classifying automated educational systems as high-risk, and Spain’s National AI Strategy promoting ethical and sustainable development, support the dialogue that has sparked legislative proposals and academic studies in Mexico.
Corona Nakamura and González Madrigal (2023) stress that ethics should guide the design, implementation, and use of AI systems to ensure that the educational transformation propelled by AI is not just a fleeting trend but an opportunity to build inclusive environments centered on developing professionals capable of leading this transformation with ethical awareness and critical vision.
