In the two years since the launch of Chat GPT in November 2022, generative AI has transformed all sectors of everyday life – from healthcare to higher education. Its integration into higher education has not only unlocked new possibilities for research collaboration and innovation but also raised critical questions about academic integrity and the future of work. As we anticipate both the considerable opportunities and challenges that AI presents, it’s clear that we can’t navigate these shifts in isolation.

To truly understand and harness the potential of AI in research, it’s crucial that we come together to share practical insights and strategies. We are delighted to offer one such opportunity at the Research Summit at Accelerate 2024 in Orlando, Florida, where these critical topics will be explored in greater depth. 

This year’s Research Summit will feature sessions that directly address how AI is becoming a key partner in research processes, from enhancing student engagement to streamlining research design and execution. We will specifically emphasize two key conversations:

• Staying Ahead in AI-Powered Education: Learn how AI tools can enhance student engagement, motivation, and behavior, with data-driven insights to improve teaching and research practices.
• Leveraging Strategic Foresight for Your Research: Walk away with strategies to integrate AI into your work and anticipate future trends in AI-powered research.

Whether you’re a seasoned researcher, an educator teaching research practices, or simply interested in how AI is transforming higher education, this summit is designed to give you the knowledge and tools you need to navigate this evolving landscape. The summit is also free to all onsite Accelerate attendees, so all are welcome to attend. 

In what follows, I briefly outline this year’s Research Summit sessions in greater detail and share exciting information about what our panelists have planned.

Illuminating Student Perspectives: AI’s Impact on Student Engagement in Higher Education 

Presenters:

• Kristen Gay, Ph.D., Director of Research at the Online Learning Consortium (OLC)
• Dylan Barth, Ph.D., Vice President of Innovation and Programs at OLC

While much has been written about the role of AI in reshaping higher education research, practice, and policy, there are few studies that have specifically accounted for student perspectives. In this session, Kristen Gay and Dylan Barth will share findings from a collaborative research project between OLC and D2L that explores AI’s influence on students’ emotional, behavioral, and cognitive engagement. By examining how students are using AI tools in their learning and research, this session provides critical insights into how these tools are shaping student interest, stress, motivation, and participation in their courses. 

For attendees, understanding how students interact with AI offers valuable guidance for shaping future research at the course level and beyond. These insights can inform the design of AI-driven research practices that not only support students’ learning but also contribute to the broader academic community’s understanding of AI’s role in higher education. By identifying patterns in student engagement with AI, attendees will be better positioned to conduct meaningful research that explores the long-term effects of AI on learning outcomes, academic performance, and research quality.

This session will equip you with actionable strategies for supporting students in their AI-driven educational and research journeys, while also providing a foundation for conducting your own research into the evolving role of AI in higher education. Whether you’re designing course-level studies or exploring broader research initiatives, this session will help you stay at the forefront of AI-enhanced research practice.

Create the Future: GenAI-Powered Research in 2030 (Workshop)

Presenters:

• Jenay Robert, Ph.D., Senior Researcher at EDUCAUSE
• Nicole Muscanell, Ph.D., Researcher at EDUCAUSE

The future of research is rapidly evolving, and generative AI is at the forefront of this transformation. In this interactive workshop, Jenay Robert and Nicole Muscanell will guide you through the process of using strategic foresight—a research method that helps anticipate potential futures based on present data. This method empowers researchers and educators to plan proactively, enabling them to leverage the opportunities AI presents while mitigating possible challenges. As Robert explains, “Our digital world is changing more rapidly than it has at any other point in history. How will today’s trends shape the future of research? Though much of the future is out of our control, taking data-informed action makes us active participants in the world of tomorrow.”

Workshop attendees will learn practical skills for using foresight tools to map out data-driven scenarios for the future of AI-powered research. This hands-on approach will allow you to explore the role AI could play in shaping your research environment by 2030 and beyond. The workshop will focus on GenAI-powered research as the central theme, but the tools and strategies you’ll gain can be applied to any aspect of your work, making them highly versatile.

By participating in this session, you’ll engage in activities designed to orient you to a “futures mindset,” enabling you to think critically about the long-term impact of AI on research practices. You’ll work in small groups to apply real strategic foresight tools, gaining experience that you can take back to your team and institution. The ultimate goal? To leave with a clear action plan for adopting and integrating generative AI tools into your own research practice, ensuring you’re ready to shape the future of research rather than just react to it.

Whether you’re looking to innovate in your current research practice or seeking ways to prepare for the future of AI-driven research, this workshop offers the insights and tools you need to stay ahead. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies and a roadmap to guide you as you investigate and adopt GenAI tools in your academic or professional setting.

Join Us for the Future of AI in Research

This summit provides a unique opportunity to explore emerging best practices and insights within generative AI research while taking steps to shape a positive future with AI.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with a dedicated community of researchers, leaders, and practitioners who are at the forefront of key discussions on AI’s role in education and research. We encourage you to register today and be part of this important event. We hope to see you in Orlando, where we’ll work together to advance AI-powered research and unlock new possibilities for the future of education.