Despite $38 million loss, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts remains committed to an AI-driven future

“No one at the university will ever say, ‘Do your best work, but if you use AI, you’re in trouble,’” Roberts said. He expressed regret that some faculty members still restrict students from using AI, even though it should be an integral part of their preparation for the real world.

Roberts, who was appointed UNC Chancellor with three decades of experience in business and investment, has embraced artificial intelligence as a key priority for the university. He said, “AI is going to be an essential component of education, enhancing our students’ skills while creating a strong foundation for the university’s future.”

Regarding faculty adoption of AI, he noted that some instructors have already embraced AI, while others remain hesitant. However, Roberts believes that an “incentive-based program” will be launched to help faculty learn and adopt new technologies.

UNC has recently made a major move—merging two schools to establish a new school where AI studies will be the main focus. Although this decision has caused some concern among students, particularly those studying library science who worry about their degrees, Roberts emphasized that it is not a “top-down” approach but rather a collaborative process involving input and participation from everyone.

Additionally, he mentioned the university’s $38 million loss from the federal government, stating, “Although this is a temporary setback, we will learn from it and move forward even stronger.”

Roberts also noted that he and his team are working on the university’s strategic initiatives and are ready to make some game-changing decisions. “We want to make the University of North Carolina the best public university in America,” he said.

Through AI-driven education, Roberts envisions leading education into a new era, despite ongoing internal disagreements and challenges at the university.