PennWest University will host representatives from six northwestern Pennsylvania institutions Oct. 16 to share approaches to artificial intelligence in higher education and explore opportunities for regional collaboration.
The NWPA Higher Education AI Summit, “Advancing AI Curriculum in Higher Education and Beyond,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 710 of Baron-Forness Library at PennWest Edinboro. Attendees can participate in person or via Zoom.
The summit will examine how institutions are incorporating AI into teaching, learning and administration while preparing students for its growing role in the workplace. Participants will share practices and resources, discuss common challenges and identify projects they could pursue together.
Participating institutions include Allegheny College, Erie County Community College, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State Behrend and PennWest University.
Dr. James Fisher, PennWest’s interim president, and Dr. J. Camille Dempsey, executive director of the PennWest Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, will open the summit.
“We are excited to bring colleagues from across the region together to learn from one another and help shape how higher education responds to AI,” Dempsey said. “Each institution brings valuable experience. This summit gives us an opportunity to build on that work together, supporting faculty and preparing students to use these technologies thoughtfully and responsibly.”
PennWest’s session, “From Campus to Community: Building an AI-Ready Future Here and Beyond,” will feature Dempsey and faculty members Dr. Alawya Alawami, Dr. John Ziegler and Dr. Roger Wolbert.
An afternoon discussion will focus on turning shared interests into next steps, including potential collaborations in curriculum, research, faculty development, student initiatives and workforce partnerships.
The event will conclude with a tour of the PennWest Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies. Through education, research, credentialing and community partnerships, the center helps prepare students, faculty and community partners to adopt and responsibly use AI and emerging technologies.
Lunch will be provided, and in-person seating is limited. To register for in-person or Zoom participation, visit https://bit.ly/3VBSYHi.