UNMC is positioning itself to take advantage of the rapidly evolving field of advanced artificial intelligence as a new campus-wide task force explores AI’s implications for the university.
That was the message from Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, and Emily Glenn, dean of the McGoogan Health Sciences Library and co-chair of UNMC’s AI task force, as they spoke during last week’s all-campus forum.
Dr. Gold said the complex task force has multiple working groups – studying AI’s impact on the areas of education, research and clinical care, along with UNMC business functions and the field of AI-generated misinformation.
The chancellor said the groups are not just looking at the downsides of advanced AI, but more importantly how to best take advantage of AI at the med center.
Watch the recording of the Sept. 21 forum.
Glenn said the field of generative AI will continue to evolve, even presenting the possibility of massive technological change. But she said it’s exciting to answer some big questions about how AI can intersect with UNMC as an academic medical center.
The med center is in a good place to prepare for the future by putting people’s curiosity into action, she said.
The 64-member task force, with its five working groups and representation that crosses UNMC colleges, campus departments and clinical partners Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, is aiming to present its first report to campus leadership by the end of October.
Overall, the task force’s work will feed into UNMC’s strategic planning discussions for 2024 and be integrated into the main areas of UNMC’s mission.
Said Glenn, “We know that we’re going to have opportunities to learn and to fail, and that we’ve got our structures and communication and our values in place that are going to be important underpinnings for moving forward with maximizing AI for UNMC and the different areas in our mission.”
Dr. Gold also provided a series of announcements and updates from around UNMC. The chancellor:
- Welcomed new and returning students and faculty, while recognizing that UNMC has reached an enrollment record for the 23rd consecutive year. The total enrollment figure stands at 4,555 across UNMC’s five campuses – a 3.4% increase over last year. “It just represents the interest in pursuing health professions, the excellence of the educational programs here at the med center and the hard work of our faculty and staff to ensure that we don’t recruit an entering class but, as I like to say, that we recruit a graduating class every year,” Dr. Gold said.
- Said the campus is making plans to host the University of Nebraska Board of Regents for the board’s on-campus visit Oct. 4 and 5, including the regents’ public meeting on Oct. 5 in the Wigton Heritage Center.
- Congratulated the winners from UNMC’s Distinguished Scientist Award program, which is recognizing 20 distinguished scientists, new investigators, community research supporters and research leaders, along with Scientist Laureate Michele Balas, PhD, of the UNMC College of Nursing. An awards ceremony is set for Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. at the Durham Research Center auditorium.
- Helped host UNMC benefactor Millie Williams on campus, as she and her granddaughter greeted students at the UNMC College of Pharmacy. Dr. Gold said it was thrilling and humbling to welcome her to campus. Watch UNMC Today for an upcoming story on the visit.
- Welcomed new UNMC College of Dentistry Dean Gerry Kugel, DMD, PhD, as he begins his new role. Dr. Kugel was associate dean for research and professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.
- Congratulated Joann Sweasy, PhD, on her selection as the next director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases. A National Institutes of Health-funded researcher since 1994, Dr. Sweasy has served as director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson.
- Highlighted the campus safety forum that will be held Sept. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Sorrell Center, Room 2010, or via Zoom. See more on the forum in UNMC Today.
A number of projects continue to work through process.
- Student housing. The chancellor said UNMC put out a request for proposals for campus housing for undergraduate students, residents and fellows, and those proposals are being reviewed.
- Core building. Plans for the combined administrative and research building west of Saddle Creek Road are expected to go before the NU Board of Regents, followed by a groundbreaking in the near future.
- Ice rink. Bill and Ruth Scott, whose contributions built the rink and student plaza named for their generosity, are supporting installation of a canopy over the outdoor rink.
- Starbucks. The new Starbucks counter in the Wigton Heritage Center is anticipated to be open in time for the NU Board of Regents visit.
Dr. Gold also fielded a question about the future format of the monthly campus forums, which have gone virtual with the emergence of COVID-19. The chancellor said he appreciates the value of a virtual discussion, in part because UNMC crosses five campuses, but that he also likes face-to-face interaction.
He said a hybrid virtual/in-person format could be a good model going forward. But he said he’s open to what the campus community would like to do.
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Finally, Dr. Gold thanked all the UNMC faculty, students and staff “for all that you do to make the med center an absolutely wonderful place.”
He acknowledged the challenges that people face every day and urged everyone to show grace to one another. Dr. Gold said he feels privileged to be part of this great organization.
“I’m humbled every day by the achievements that we have across our education, research and clinical environments.”