Our member Andrew Lewis facilitated a candid conversation between Robert Jones, president of the University of Washington and Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell, president of Washington State University, our state’s two premier research institutions during Apple Cup Week.

Mr. Jones said that after serving 46 years in higher education, becoming president “was the capstone of his career” and Dr. Cantwell mentioned the importance of WSU being a land grant school in her decision to take the position. They both opened their remarks commenting on what a challenging time this is for higher education.

“What role do you expect AI to have at your university and in the future of the workforce?”

· President Jones: He said, AI is forcing a critical conversation; we need to do more work in our country “as its value proposition is not seen as being positive here.” One example he mentioned of adapting to AI without costing teaching or medical positions, “AI will not replace a radiologist (for example), but it will replace a radiologist that does not have AI skills. AI is fundamentally changing what it means to be an educated person.”

· President Cantwell: “emerging technologies like AI are changing almost everything in higher ed and the workforce.” As a land grant university, she sees WSU’s mission “to bring the benefits of AI to every county in our state, to all communities”; and that they are including the voice of students through on-campus student organizations and by encouraging their faculty to have conversations directly with students in the classroom.