Students can learn how to ethically use generative artificial intelligence in a new course at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
The Department of Management and Marketing unveiled BUAD 4303, Ethics and AI this semester, Arne Baruca, department chair, said in an interview Sept. 11.
Baruca said the course is aimed at teaching students how to use AI tools in the workforce.
“We know that employers are looking for candidates who are well versed or have some knowledge about AI tools, whether it’s in management, marketing or other fields,” he said.
About 19 students are enrolled in the class and they all took the Introduction to AI course which first became available last semester.
Matthew Magnum, clinical associate professor of business law, teaches the course and said students learn how to make ethical decisions and solve problems through AI used in the class.
”All of our students in their business core get some training in making ethical decisions and solving ethical problems,” he said. “This class is a variation of that core material with the involvement of AI to resolve various issues.”
Students in the class also can obtain a Business Essentials for A.I. certificate.
“It is the first time students will have the chance to complete the certificate because ethics and AI is offered this semester,” he said. “We wanted to give students something additional besides their degree that will benefit them when they go out and do job interviews.”
Magnum said he is working on promoting the certificate as many of his students are not aware it is available.
”The other day, I asked my students how many of them were working on this certificate,” he said. “But all I got were blank stares. So yes, we may need to publicize it more, but I am working on making more students aware of it. It would be good for them to have it as AI is now more used in the workforce.”
The Department of Management and Marketing is also working to incorporate AI components in other business classes.
“We are continuously working with other business communication classes to include an AI component into them,” Baruca said. “We already have major classes like the Integrated Marketing Communications course and other marketing classes that all use AI.”
Magnum said in his course students can also expect to have an open dialogue about how to deal with the emergence of technology.
”We have thoughtful conversations,” he said. “I want them to leave with a more nuanced understanding of the issue with new technology. We talk about seeing paths to how we can improve it, ethically speaking and ways to use it responsibly.”
Baruca agrees and wants people to understand that AI is not going away but evolving so it is best to learn how to use it properly.
“People use AI everywhere nowadays,” Baruca said. “It’s only going to evolve. Rather than be resistant or blind to it, you need to learn how to use it properly, don’t cheat because it’s obvious, but learn to be critical and ethical about it.”
For more information, email matthew.mangum@tamusa.edu.