As we kick off another exciting semester, I’m thrilled to share updates and resources designed to support your academic journey. From the continued availability of Teach Anywhere Office Hours to help you navigate our digital tools, to upcoming events like Tech Day 2025, where we explore the evolving role of technology in education, we’re here to ensure you have the tools and guidance to succeed.

 

Be sure to explore the Canvas mobile apps for seamless course management, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the ILC for support. Let’s make this semester one of innovation and success!

 

Mike Griffith, PhD 

Executive Director -  Strategic Digital Innovation  | Information Technology 

Director - Innovative Learning Center 

What mobile app should I use to access Canvas? Canvas provides two separate apps for mobile access: the Canvas Teacher app for instructors and the Canvas Student app for students. If you are in multiple roles at Tulane, e.g., taking a course and teaching a course, then log into each app separately for the tasks associated with the role. The Canvas mobile apps are available for download on various mobile devices.

Spring 2025 Teach Anywhere Office Hours will take place Mondays and Thursdays from 12pm to 1pm both online via ZOOM and you are welcome to visit us in-person [HTML Suite 300]. 

By Blaine Fisher, Ph.D., MS, MA, NRP, PG-Cert

Disclaimer:

 

The insights and perspectives shared in this article reflect the state of artificial intelligence at the time of writing in early 2025. While the myths addressed here are grounded in current scientific understanding, AI is advancing at a breakneck pace. It is entirely possible—indeed, likely—that some of the concepts described as myths today could become realities tomorrow.

 

I personally believe that AI is on the brink of a transformative leap. The rapid progress we've seen—from AI reasoning at a preschool level just six years ago to a PhD level today—suggests that the technology's trajectory is accelerating. The rise of collaborative AI agents, advancements in chain-of-thought reasoning, and the inevitable advent of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) may well turn today’s myths into facts sooner than we imagine.

The next wave of AI will go far beyond generating text, images, code, and videos. It will make autonomous decisions, pursue goals, and reshape the way machines interact with our world. Enter agentic AI: systems that operate with a degree of autonomy, capable of setting their own goals, adapting strategies, and working independently toward broader objectives. If generative AI is a highly skilled assistant awaiting instructions, agentic AI will be the proactive colleague who takes initiative and collaborates on achieving larger missions.

 

Looking ahead, I expect AI to advance so significantly that the tools we use today will feel like children’s toys compared to what lies ahead. It’s an exciting—and sobering—time to engage with AI, and I hope this article sparks thoughtful discussion about both its present realities and its future potential.

 

These misconceptions matter because they shape not just public opinion, but also policy decisions, research funding, and educational priorities. When business leaders overestimate AI's current capabilities, they may invest in unrealistic solutions. 

When policymakers underestimate AI's real impacts, they might miss crucial opportunities for beneficial regulation. And when the public misunderstands AI's true nature, it becomes harder to have meaningful discussions about its role in society.

 

Understanding the reality of artificial intelligence—its genuine capabilities, practical limitations, and likely trajectory—has never been more important. By examining common myths and measuring them against current scientific understanding, we can better appreciate both the remarkable achievements and the significant challenges in AI development. This clearer perspective enables us to make more informed decisions about how to develop, deploy, and govern this powerful technology.

Part I: The Myth of Autonomous Consciousness

Myth: AI Has Consciousness or Sentience

 

A common trope in movies and novels is the emergence of conscious machines—robots or systems that “wake up” and develop self-awareness. Films like Ex Machina, Her, and The Terminator resonate with audiences because they explore fundamental fears and aspirations about technology’s role in human life. These narratives shape misconceptions by dramatizing the idea that AI could evolve into entities with independent thought, emotions, and desires, fostering both fascination and fear.

Contact the IT Service Desk

support.tulane.edu | help@tulane.edu | 504-988-8888
Hours | Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Sat - Sun 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Use your Tulane email and password to access the support portal.

  

Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

1555 Poydras Street None | New Orleans, LA 70112 US

This email was sent to amc@tulane.edu.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.