Symposium showcases generative AI at UNMC

Marcia Shade, PhD, believes generative AI can transport academic medical centers to the future.

On July 23, the UNMC College of Nursing faculty member gave the keynote address at UNMC’s Generative AI Summer Symposium, surrounded by faculty and staff who shared how they already use AI as an academic resource tool.

“(Academic medical centers) are prime breeding grounds for advancements,” Dr. Shade said. “That’s what we do here. … We have an abundance of patient data and student data, coupled with a culture of education, research and collaboration that creates this perfect storm for innovation.”

More than 100 people attended the symposium to explore and engage with generative AI. Presenters explained how to develop rubrics to revolutionize the grading process, brainstorm ideas to overcome writer’s block, enhance program evaluation and survey development and generate medical visualizations to enhance patient care.

Missed the symposium? Watch video abstracts by the presenters and the welcome video from Interim Chancellor Dele Davies, MD, on the future of generative AI at UNMC.

As founder and CEO of Voice-It Incorporated, Dr. Shade is testing its possibilities by developing interactive conversational AI that can conduct real-time evaluations of pain in older adults.

“AI is a tool to enhance your expertise, not to replace you,” she said.

UNMC College of Public Health Dean Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, discussed using AI to analyze student performance, identify knowledge gaps and tailor educational content. He also noted the importance of being a trusted source to patients and the broader community.

Presenters, scattered throughout the Truhlsen Events Center, also emphasized using the technology responsibly, verifying the credibility of information and being patient in exploring possible uses. Said Analisa McMillan, PhD: “It takes time to learn how to ‘chat’ with AI” and perfect research prompts that yield helpful information.

UNMC’s AI Task Force co-chairs Emily Glenn and Rachel Lookadoo, JD, welcomed attendees and encouraged the campus community to join the next “What’s New in AI at UNMC” discussion, set for Aug. 21 from 9 to 10 a.m. via Zoom.

AI will be undeniably intertwined in our futures, Dr. Shade said in closing, adding: “Think about all the opportunities (AI presents) for you, as well as those you serve in your role here.”

The Generative AI at UNMC Summer Symposium was sponsored by the McGoogan Health Sciences Library, the UNMC College of Public Health, Office of Faculty Development and Academic Affairs.