Pondering Models at UTA

Pondering AI banner

What are mathematical and statistical models, and what do they mean for all of us as educators and informed citizens?  Is there a gap between “Model Land” and the real world, should we worry about that mismatch, and how should we react?  

Cover from book with link to store

In the latest event from the Pondering AI at UTA curated podcast speaker series, national podcaster and analytics leader Kimberly Nevala guided UTA faculty and staff in an in-depth discussion of these questions and issues, along with the author of “Escape from Model Land,” Dr. Erica Thompson of the London School of Economics’ Data Science Institute.  Dr. Thompson shared her impactful learning from a career in building and interpreting models in areas such as climate change and during the COVID-19 epidemic.  The two specialist speakers helped UTA faculty and staff to question our assumptions and to transform our thinking about what models are, how they work, and what happens when they go wrong, in a thought-provoking, humorous, and human way.  

This unique series has also introduced UTA listeners this semester to Henrik Skaug Sætra, the author of “Technology and Sustainable Development,” and Kate O’Neill, who presented insights from her book, “A Future So Bright.” 

UTA listeners may also wish to listen to back and future episodes of Kimberly Nevala’s podcast, “Pondering AI,” available here (or wherever you pick up your podcast content).  

UTA registered participants in this series were also invited to receive a copy of these presenters’ books, and can contact series organizers for shipping details.

The Pondering AI at UTA series is organized by the office of University Analytics at UTA, with the generous assistance of the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Pondering AI podcast link

Amazon e-Book on AI for Educators

AWS Generative AI for education banner

Amazon has published a book called “Generative AI for educators, learners, and administrators” that they are giving away in exchange for your personal contact information. Here is the description from Amazon:

How is education responding to generative AI?
Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

The adoption of artificial intelligence is growing to help educators, students, and administrators at institutions around the world.

Lesson plans can be generated with recommendations for individual students and administrators can automate data classification and extraction for documents such as admissions, financial aid, employment applications, payments, etc. It’s a powerful tool and principles are being set in place to address concerns around responsibly implementing these tools.

Download the eBook, Unleash the power of generative AI: Build better software solutions, faster, to learn how institutions can benefit from generative AI and spend more time engaging with students and administrators.

https://pages.awscloud.com/unleash-the-power-of-generative-ai-for-education.html

Pondering AI at UTA 2023, Session 3

Pondering AI banner

A discussion series presented in three monthly sessions

Presented by UTA University Analytics and CRTLE

Hosted by: Kimberly Nevala and & Author Dr. Erica Thompson

Thursday, December 7, 2023
Noon – 12:50 p.m.
Trinity Hall, Room 205 or via Microsoft Teams (Registration Required – please use this form)

Kimberly Nevala, is a renowned strategic advisor, thought leader, and host of the popular ‘Pondering AI’ podcast. She will be joined by Dr. Erica Thompson, Associate Professor of Modeling for Decision Making at the UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STeAPP). 

Dr. Thompson clarifies the complexity of AI utilizing a wide range of real-world examples from diverse areas and discusses the hard work required to make good decisions in the age of AI. A light lunch will be served, and attendees will also receive a copy of Erica’s book: Escape from Model Land: How Mathematical Models Can Lead Us Astray and What We Can Do About It.