Integrating Digital Technology as part of course offerings

September 21, 2023: CILET at SBS organized a session on “Integrating Digital Technology as part of course offerings” for the faculty. This session was conducted by Dr. Abdul Basit who pressed on the “absolute necessity” of bringing digital technology into businesses and educational institutes.

The session was opened with a discussion on the Rise of Artificial Intelligence. Contrary to popular opinion, Dr Abdul Basit was of the view that AI is an aid to human beings rather than a threat. Generative AI, Chatbot, Read AI and other similar technological innovations should be seen as tools for enhancing human efficiency in their job roles. Dr. Basit mentioned how “historically technology has never replaced humans – only aided them to do better, help them upskill, save time and produce a promising outcome”.

Once this positive side of digital technology was discussed, Dr. Abdul Basit then proceeded to talk about how to integrate these tools into learning methods. The idea presented was to “focus on the application of the technology and not the technology itself”. He presented an easy methodology by which the instructors were advised to first research AI tools that fit best into their respective course outlines – this would help them identify their course objectives that fit best with technology. Another advice was to look into the AI tools that are being used practically in the industry. For instance, an instructor teaching supply chain should study the digital technology methods that are being adopted by the procurement industry. And this way, the faculty should be able to gradually integrate digital technology into their teaching styles.

The session was closed by an open discussion between the speaker and the attendees where the importance of AI was further highlighted and everyone supported the view that it is much needed and that we should not shut our doors to it.