UConn Launches AI Initiative Aimed At Education, Research And Workforce Needs

Ah, the University of Connecticut has bravely entered the AI arms race with 'AI for ImpaCT' — note the capital C, because nothing screams 'we mean business' like a mid-acronym capital letter. They're going to 'expand AI best practices' across education, research, innovation, public engagement, and workforce development. That's every box ticked. No doubt a taskforce will be convened, a website built, and a vice-provost of AI appointed by Friday.

The initiative aims to address workforce development, which is rich given that every tech company this week has been laying off workers faster than you can say 'prompt engineer.' UConn is essentially promising to train students for jobs that AI itself is currently vaporising. It's the academic equivalent of building a state-of-the-art stable for horses in 1910.

Still, the university deserves some credit for actually doing something. Other institutions are still debating whether to ban ChatGPT or to rename their computer science departments. UConn is at least acknowledging the elephant in the room, even if they plan to teach it tricks. One can only hope the 'best practices' include a module on 'how to write a cover letter for a job that no longer exists.' That would be genuinely useful.