MAYS LANDING — The recent proliferation of powerful tools in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have created life-altering technological possibilities in a myriad of fields, such as science, medicine, education, cybersecurity, manufacturing, finance, marketing and much more, for the planet’s more than 8.2 billion inhabitants.
To position itself at the forefront of this burgeoning industry, Atlantic Cape Community College is diligently striving to become an AI learning leader in higher education. Professors are gaining the knowledge to understand AI’s capabilities and drawbacks while encouraging their students to utilize it ethically. Through a generous $474,227 grant from the National Science Foundation, the College is creating an Industry-Linked AI and ML Pathways for Computer Programmers project that will create a comprehensive associate degree and one-year certificate program for the College’s students throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties.
At the College’s recent 5th Annual Cyber Day on October 24, nearly 100 students from Absegami, Atlantic City, Cape May Technical and Egg Harbor Township high schools gathered at the Mays Landing campus for a day filled with hands-on technology and cybersecurity activities, practical demonstrations, interaction with industry professionals and experienced facilitators, and an interactive session showing students how to properly use artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
As workshops on flying drones and cybersecurity were being held, Atlantic Cape Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Raymond Keller hosted an “AI+You: The Ultimate Escape” session where students paired up in teams of three or four in an AI Escape Room setting. There they collaborated to solve puzzles and riddles with the help of ChatGPT while also being tasked with decoding a Caesar cipher using AI. While doing so, one of the groups found a technological weakness in ChatGPT, much to the surprise of Keller, in that it had difficulty decoding the Caesar cipher itself.
“Students, whether they're in high school or college, are going to need to know how to use AI to be successful in their careers. The way I designed the session was to have a series of puzzles that the students had to interact with, like a Caesar cipher and an AI dictionary where they had to use their own brains to get certain clues early on, but then they used AI later in the process to help expedite what they've already figured out,” said Keller. “They're using it (AI) as a tool to enhance their own brain rather than using it to replace what their own brain can do. I'm fostering their critical thinking up front and then allowing them to see the cool spectacle of AI afterwards.”
Despite its apparent complication in figuring out Caesar cipher messaging, Atlantic City High School freshman Karon Carey is excited by the power and possibilities that AI holds for the future.
“What really excites me about AI is, and this is a really nuanced question, that AI is like a really great tool that can help people now and in the future. I've been wanting to further its development for a while, ever since I was like five to 10 years old,” said Carey. “As someone who is an avid game theory fan, I've known a lot about ciphers for a while now. After high school I would like a job as an IT person and have a hobby in game design.”
Keller furthered his discussion on the benefits of teaching AI at the higher education level during a recent appearance on Jubilee’s ‘Middle Ground’ debate forum titled “Is AI destroying education?” that pitted the opinions of four college students against those of four college professors. Jubilee’s mantra is to “provoke understanding and create human connection” while the Middle Ground debate format is meant to “explore whether two different groups of people, opposed in their beliefs, can come together empathetically and find middle ground.”
The topic of AI usage in higher education sparked strong and varied opinions from students and professors. Keller stated that his students enjoy learning how to critically think and believes that most students don’t want AI to take that essential skill from them. Keller encourages its utilization in his classes to spark idea generation in his students.
“I do reflective assignments with my students where they use AI and ChatGPT as a tool, but they also talk about that slippery slope associated with it and realize if they overuse AI that it may hurt their ability to critically think,” said Keller. “But, if students don’t know how to use AI as another tool they will be left behind.”
Keller asked the panel of students if they felt that higher education is adequately preparing them for an AI-driven workforce. The students felt that their schools are slowly embracing the technology while the internships that they participate in are encouraging the use of it to speed up work production. Keller equated today’s apprehension towards AI to that of the calculator 40+ years ago when educators decried its usage in the classroom lest their students wouldn’t learn the fundamentals of mathematics.
You may watch the entire Jubilee, Middle Ground: Is AI destroying education? debate at https://bit.ly/jubileemiddleground.
Meanwhile, the nearly-$500,000-grant from the NSF will help fund Atlantic Cape’s Industry-Linked AI and ML Pathways for Computer Programmers project, which is being led by Principal Investigator and CISM Professor Dr. Bojan Zilovic, and Co-Principal Investigators Department Chairman, ISAS/Business & Professor, Computer Information Systems Dr. Otto Hernandez and Assistant Professor, Business and Esports Michele Togashi, through June 30, 2028.
“We will prepare students for high-demand careers in AI and ML by equipping them with the commercial applications of AI technologies to thrive in a rapidly-evolving technological landscape. Students will benefit from a curriculum that will efficiently prepare them for employment in the AI field. They will earn stackable credentials in the field and can complete a certificate/degree in 12 months,” said Zilovic. “By collaborating with local industry leaders, the curriculum will align with workforce demands, ensuring that students graduate job-ready to contribute to the AI-driven economy. The significance of this project lies in its potential to increase participation in the STEM workforce, drive regional economic growth, and prepare students to address challenges in emerging AI technologies.”
Hernandez sees the immense potential for sustainable growth that this program will have on the College, its students interested in seeking a career in AI and ML, and the local economy.
“I believe that through this initiative, Atlantic Cape will extend our impact to our students and meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in AI and machine learning. Additionally, our local and regional industry will benefit from a well-prepared workforce with the latest knowledge and skills. We will be aligning this program with industry needs and thereby contributing to economic growth and competitiveness in our region,” said Hernandez. “Offering a degree option and certificate in AI and machine learning will provide prospective students from Atlantic and Cape May counties with opportunities to gain valuable skills that can significantly enhance their employability and earning potential.”
View the photo gallery from this event on Flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyyHG.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/academicpathways to learn more about the academic pathways, which encompass the College’s 47 academic degree programs, that we offer.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with several four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to leave home.
