Universities in Colombia debate the impact of artificial intelligence

Academic leaders and experts are examining the integration and impact of artificial intelligence within higher education and human development. In Bogotá, Dr. Guillermo Kerz of the Universidad Católica de Santa Fe participated in a KAAD International Academy panel to discuss the challenges AI poses to health, education, and human dignity.

Dr. Kerz introduced the concept of “digital determinants of health,” referring to technological factors that influence human intelligence, affectivity, and behavior. He warned that delegating the production of meaning to algorithmic systems could risk critical thinking and the preservation of human identity. He also noted the potential for digital acceleration to increase anxiety and uncertainty.

In the Huila department of Colombia, university rectors from Corhuila, FET, and the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia discussed AI as both a tool and a necessity for students. The rector of FET noted that 58% of university academic activities are now framed by AI, emphasizing the need for regulation and the integration of the technology into specific curricula, such as software and electrical engineering.