Florida universities are keeping an eye on AI

| 6/15/2023

Florida universities are keeping an eye on AI

As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly high-profile topic in higher education, Florida universities are holding discussions about how to harness the technology’s power — and stave off the potential for academic malfeasance. The state’s flagship university is home to a supercomputer known as HiPerGator, which was a $50 million gift to the school from NVIDIA, a Silicon Valley-based tech firm, and company co-founder Chris Malachowsky, a University of Florida graduate. Touted for its artificial-intelligence capabilities, the supercomputer is being used by researchers from UF and other state universities to tackle pressing agricultural and environmental problems.[Source: News Service of Florida]

Groups challenging books are organized. These Florida readers want to push back

So far this school year, there have been more book bans in Florida than almost any other state, according to an analysis by the free expression advocacy group PEN America. The former president of the state's library association has acknowledged that advocates for intellectual freedom are "being out-organized." [Source: WUSF]

Opinion: In Florida schools, shrinking freedom and growing mental health concerns

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory in 2021 pointed to “unprecedented stresses” facing youth and escalating rates of mental illness. The latest report from the surgeon general highlights an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. Nationally, 22% of high school students report seriously considering suicide. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida professor known as ‘Dr. Deep Sea’ resurfaces after record 100 days underwater

University of South Florida associate professor Joseph Dituri, who broke the world record for the longest time living underwater, emerged after 100 days on Friday. Nicknamed “Dr. Deep Sea,” Dituri, 55, spent his time living in Jules’ Undersea Lodge, WTVJ reported. The lodge is located at the bottom of a 30-foot lagoon near Key Largo. Dituri had been submerged since March 1, according to the television station. [Source: WOKV]

Florida parents prompt private school to rethink voucher plan

Voucher critics weren’t surprised when they learned that a Pinellas County private school planned to boost its tuition rate to capture more voucher money from the state. They expressed amazement when that school announced less than two weeks later that it was reversing course, amid complaints from parents. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FGCU trustees approve $500,000-a-year contract for new president [Fort Myers News Press]
Incoming Florida Gulf Coast University President Aysegul Timur is in line to earn $500,000 annually in a three-year contract approved by the school's trustees Tuesday. Timur, who was the only internal candidate among three other finalists considered by the university’s trustees in the run-up to her selection last month, also would be the first woman to lead Florida Gulf Coast. Timur has served as vice president and vice provost for strategy and program innovation at the university.

› Palm Beach County schools expect voucher use to double to 16K kids next year. What to know [Palm Beach Post]
Palm Beach County school officials have a little more clarity on how charter school cost-sharing and Florida's newly expanded voucher program will affect the local bottom line. Palm Beach County Schools Chief Finance Officer Heather Frederick said Wednesday that the district will spend $469 million over the next 10 years on construction projects at charter schools.

› Passed over by Association of American Universities: A goal for decades, FSU wasn't invited [Tallahassee Democrat]
Despite Florida State University’s decades of efforts toward breaking into the prestigious Association of American Universities, the university did not receive an invite this year. But two other Florida universities did get the call following the association’s official announcement May 31.

› UF names new director for 1-year-old civics education center [Florida Politics]
A new leader is coming to the University of Florida’s Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education, which was inaugurated just last July as an effort to improve political diversity at the state’s flagship university. Dr. William Inboden will be moving to Gainesville from the University of Texas-Austin, after 10 years as the “founding director” of the Clements Center for National Security there.

Tags: Education eNews

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