Ask an ID: AI Implications in Healthcare and Education Symposium Highlights
Dear Instructional Designer,
I had the pleasure of helping coordinate the “Future Health: AI Implications in Healthcare and Education” symposium and I wanted to say that I really enjoyed your presentation—it was fascinating and I got some good insights into the tools currently available and how to use them more effectively. Would you be able to share your notes from the symposium including the information you shared during your
session? This would be helpful as we plan future initiatives. I appreciate the effort you put into your presentation and look forward to continuing to work with you.
-AI Innovator
Dear AI Innovator,
Thank you for your kind message! The “Future Health: AI Implications in Healthcare and Education” symposium put on by TLED and ACC Health Sciences was packed with insights about AI’s transformative impact on healthcare and education. The discussions ranged from AI’s potential and ethics to its practical uses today. Here’s a recap of the highlights!
Babak Hodjat Keynote: “AI—Alchemy or Moonshot?”
Babak Hodjat, the CTO of AI at Cognizant, opened the event with a deep dive into AI’s evolution. While we haven’t reached Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) yet, Babak outlined what AGI could look like in the future:
● Predictive Abilities: AGI will identify and adapt to shifting patterns in data.
● Prescriptive Power: AI could eventually advise us on optimal actions based on analysis.
● Contemplative Scenarios: Like humans, AGI will learn through trial and error to find the best outcomes.
● Creative and Adaptive: Future AI will evolve like humans do, building on existing ideas, learning what works, and adapting through creative problem-solving.
Panel 1: AI in Education and Workforce Preparation
This panel discussed how AI is changing both education and healthcare workforce training, with panelists from
Austin Community College (ACC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:
● Susan Warner-Sanchez, Ph.D. (ACC), led the panel, highlighting the importance of AI proficiency for both faculty and students.
● Jaime Cantú (ACC) shared his use of student-created assessment videos as a way to engage students with AI-supported learning.
● Stephanie Long, M.S. (ACC Faculty Center) emphasized how existing educational structures can integrate AI without a total overhaul.
● Michelle Singh, Ph.D. (Texas Higher Ed) discussed AI policies and the need for transparency,
especially for students’ understanding of AI use boundaries.
● Misty Rasmussen, Ph.D. (ACC Planning) and Kate Williams, DNP (Baylor Scott & White) both spoke
about preparing students for a changing job market, focusing on adaptability, critical thinking, and
compassion.
Key Takeaways:
● AI proficiency for students and faculty is essential in both healthcare and education.
● Institutions should create clear guidelines on acceptable AI use to avoid confusion.
● Human-centered skills, especially critical thinking and adaptability, are irreplaceable.
Fireside Chat with Dr. Craig Watkins: Addressing Bias in AI
Dr. Craig Watkins discussed the potential pitfalls of AI bias and the importance of diverse perspectives:
● Bias in AI Models: Dr. Watkins highlighted real-world cases where AI models inadvertently reinforced racial or income biases, despite efforts to “scrub” demographic data.
● Diverse AI Development: Ensuring AI is developed with diverse input can help mitigate biases and ensure fairer applications.
Main Message: Diverse voices in AI development are critical to avoid unintended bias and build fairer AI systems.
Panel 2: AI Trends in Healthcare
Moderated by Beth Vaughn of HCA Healthcare, this panel focused on current AI applications in healthcare and its potential to transform patient care and administration. The panelists included leaders from healthcare and tech:
● Sajol Ghoshal (Advanced TeleSensors) shared insights on using AI-driven sensors to monitor patient health, like detecting heart and respiratory rates.
● Madan Gopal, Ph.D. (Texas Health and Human Services) spoke about AI’s use in knowledge management for healthcare.
● Abel Guevara III, DHA discussed optimizing healthcare revenue cycles with AI, while Andy Mathis (Neuro Rehab VR) highlighted VR as a tool for interim patient care.
● Toni Swinton, DNP (HCA Healthcare) shared how the Jane Assessment tool in their LMS uses AI to speed up onboarding and competency assessments for healthcare staff.
Highlights:
● AI is enabling real-time patient monitoring and reducing administrative workloads in healthcare.
● AI tools like VR and the Jane Assessment support workforce training and rehabilitation.
● Transparency is essential—“black box” algorithms without explanation are risky in patient care.
Panel 3: AI for Social Good
Moderated by Nina Almasy from ACC Health Sciences, this panel explored the ethical implications and societal impacts of AI, with a focus on creating positive outcomes. Panelists brought expertise from public policy, academia, and student perspectives:
● Maaz Amjad, Ph.D. (Texas Tech) and Sherri Greenberg (UT Austin) discussed AI’s potential to address social issues, but cautioned against over-reliance and encouraged responsible, ethical use.
● Aleena Tomy, a student from Texas State, emphasized the need for young people to be equipped with AI literacy to navigate future careers.
Main Insights:
● Establishing certification or audits for AI tools could help ensure they meet ethical standards.
● AI should be used as an aid, not a replacement; human oversight is crucial.
● Responsible use of AI for social good requires ethical standards and transparency.
AI Tools Shared by Stephanie Bogdanich
Stephanie Bogdanich introduced various AI tools aimed at enhancing both healthcare and educational applications. For easy access to these tools and additional resources from the symposium, they’ve been
shared on a Padlet board, which you can view here.
Key Takeaways from the Symposium
- Upskill for the Future: Both students and faculty need ongoing training in AI to stay current.
- Question AI Outputs: Human oversight is necessary to verify AI’s suggestions.
- Transparent AI Policies: Set clear boundaries for AI use in education and healthcare.
- Local Implementation: Start with small AI integrations, then expand if successful.
- Humanity at the Core: AI should enhance human skills, with critical thinking and empathy remaining essential.
The symposium was a reminder that while AI has incredible potential, our values and ethics should guide its growth. Let’s keep our human touch at the center as we explore all that AI has to offer.
Yours in Innovation,
Stephanie Bogdanich, Instructional Designer
