‘Make AI a Force That Is Uplifting for All,’ UMD Leaders Urge at Global Summit

The recent rise of artificial intelligence (AI) as a societal force is transforming higher education at the University of Maryland and beyond—and Terp scholars and scientists have a key role to play in shaping AI as a power for good.

Those were among the key points made by UMD President Darryll J. Pines and Professor Hal Daumé III, director of the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), as they addressed a live and worldwide streaming audience of thousands on Tuesday at The Washington Post’s Global AI Summit.

UMD was the presenting sponsor for the event held at NASDAQ Headquarters in New York City; the summit is helping to kick off “AI at Maryland” month in October, during which UMD will highlight the university’s leadership in artificial intelligence and how it is altering sectors through research, education and service.

The event also included discussions with experts including Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund; James Manyika, Google senior vice president of research, labs, technology and society; the Rev. Paolo Benanti, AI consultant for the Vatican; and LinkedIn Cofounder Reid Hoffman.

Pines pointed out that while few in the audience had experienced modern generative AI like that found in ChatGPT and other platforms prior to November 2022, AI has since changed the University of Maryland fundamentally.

For example, AI raises important questions about ensuring technological equity across society. UMD has stepped up to address in various ways, including through the introduction of a free certificate program in AI offered by the Robert H. Smith School of Business that has drawn 30,000 registrations in four months.

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