Tenure-track faculty want protections regarding the use of AI.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – More pay for more work isn’t the only issue facing University of Illinois Springfield faculty as the possibility of a strike looms.
Artificial intelligence is also a concern.
“The last time our faculty negotiated was in 2021. At that time, AI was not on our radar as something to be concerned about,” said Dathan Powell, president of the UIS unified faculty union. “During this round of negotiations, we have proposed a number of strong amendments to the contract that incorporate AI protections.”
Powell said concerns include how AI can collect teachers’ work and monitor teachers in the classroom, as well as how students are using AI in their own work. He said professors are working harder to identify student work that could use AI, and that they should be compensated appropriately.
“There are no obstacles to doing that at this point,” Powell said. “The biggest concern among faculty is that consent is required to use their work in such a way, and that if it results in some financial benefit to the university, they should be compensated.
Negotiations between tenure-track faculty and the administration continued Monday. Members voted last week to authorize the strike, which could begin 10 days from last Thursday.
