Elon University IT Explores AI Integration
Elon University’s Office of Information Technology (IT) recently hosted a summer retreat focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into campus operations. The event aimed to explore the potential of AI tools to streamline workflows and personalize education, with a particular emphasis on platforms like Microsoft Copilot, MagicSchool, and ChatGPT.
As AI continues to rapidly evolve, the retreat provided an opportunity for IT staff to deepen their understanding of AI applications within their sector. The event examined current AI use across the campus community and identified prospects for integration.
“We’re seeing signs that GenAI really can reduce some of the repetitive and tedious work from IT to the classroom,” said Michael Miller, an executive partner for higher education at Gartner. “In fact, it’s one of the most robust areas where it’s showing significant impact. AI is something that people everywhere are talking about, excited about and investing in. This gives folks in IT an opportunity to expand the conversation about technology in general, explore how others are using it and collaborate on ways it can be improved.”
Gartner’s projections suggest that AI will become increasingly prevalent, with 75% of businesses using generative AI for synthetic customer data by 2026. Energy efficiency is expected to increase by 30% by 2028, and one-third of generative AI interactions may require no human intervention by the same year. Specifically in education, the firm says, “autonomous agents can offer personalized learning experiences and adapt teaching methods to the needs of individual students.”
The IT staff had the opportunity to experiment with tools focused on research, learning activity design, and productivity. The “expo,” planned and facilitated by Claudia Sparks, associate director of Enterprise Solutions, and Dhvani Toprani, assistant director of Learning Design and Support, featured tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, ClickUp Brain, Adobe Firefly, Elicit (Research), and MagicSchool AI.
“Gen AI tools are filled with infinite possibilities, so we are interested in understanding how others use these tools. The Expo felt like an excellent opportunity to give us a look into our campus partner’s world of AI,” said Toprani.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, so the goal was to unlock that door and provide an avenue of deeper understanding,” Toprani added. “Everyone’s engagement made the expo so much fun, and it was delightful to see everyone’s excitement about the possibilities of AI tools.”
Christopher Waters, associate vice president of Information Technology and chief information officer, noted that the IT staff is building expertise in using AI to support the campus community while exploring how it can enhance teaching, learning, and university operations. “We also wanted the team to explore how AI is integrating into Elon’s current technology offerings, which can, almost seamlessly, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of work already happening at Elon. This includes the Microsoft Copilot chatbot, which every employee and student can access securely and freely when logged in using their Elon ID.”
Waters also mentioned the AI Grants program through Technology, which received numerous applications from campus members at the end of the previous academic year. A community of practice has been formed to promote the responsible use of AI across various departments while enhancing operational processes.
