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AI is revolutionizing higher education, presenting both opportunities and challenges for institutions worldwide. In this interview, we sit down with Carles Abarca, Vice President of Information Technology at Tecnológico de Monterrey, to explore the impact of AI in academia. From discussing cybersecurity concerns to examining the implementation of AI technologies such as TECgpt, Abarca provides invaluable insights into the evolving educational landscape. Join us as we immerse into this thought-provoking conversation on the future of AI in higher education

Transcript

Jordi: Welcome, everyone, to the Torras AI podcast. I'm thrilled to have Carles Abarca joining us today. Hi, Carles, how are you?

Carles: Jordi, thank you very much. Oh, thank you for having me here today.

Jordi: Carles Abarca currently serves as the Vice President of Information Technology at the University of Technology in Monterrey, also known as Tecnologico de Monterrey, or simply TEC. Isn't that right, Carles?

Carles: Yes, indeed. That's how everyone refers to us, TEC of Monterrey.

Jordi: Carles has an extensive background, having previously been the CTO for various financial institutions in Europe, including Bank Sabadell and TSB Bank in the UK. He holds a Master's in E-commerce and New Economy from MIT and an engineering degree in telecommunications from UPC in Barcelona. Thank you for being here, Carles.

Carles: Thank you for having me.

Primary Responsibilities

Jordi: Let's dive in. What are the primary responsibilities of the Vice President of Information Technology at Tecnologico de Monterrey?

Carles: Well, there are both the glamorous aspects, like strategic planning for technology integration in higher education and enhancing student experiences with new technologies, and the more mundane tasks of ensuring smooth operations and cybersecurity, especially given our large student body of over 120,000.

Jordi: Cybersecurity must indeed pose significant challenges, particularly with students bringing their own devices onto campus networks.

Carles: Absolutely. It's a constant challenge to maintain security standards while accommodating the diverse devices and behaviors of our student population.

Impact of AI in Higher Education

Jordi: Moving on to AI, given your expertise in various industries, including banking and now education, how do you foresee AI impacting higher education?

Carles: AI is already reshaping higher education, particularly with the advent of generative AI like GPT. It presents both challenges, such as ensuring ethical use, and opportunities, such as automating internal processes like student onboarding and service desk operations.

Implementation of AI at Tecnologico de Monterrey

Jordi: Fascinating. And speaking of AI, you mentioned TECgpt. Could you tell us more about how you're implementing AI at Tecnologico de Monterrey?

Carles: Certainly. We're excited to roll out TECgpt across various applications, including powering our internal chatbot and offering customizable AI capabilities through something we call Skill Studio. We believe these initiatives will greatly enhance our educational offerings and administrative efficiency.

Other Innovations

Jordi: Impressive. Beyond AI, what other innovations is Tecnologico de Monterrey pursuing?

Carles: We're exploring augmented and virtual reality for immersive educational experiences, as well as leveraging blockchain for academic credentialing. Additionally, we're using AI for sentiment analysis to enhance hybrid teaching methods.

Regulation in the AI Space

Jordi: Let's shift gears a bit and talk about regulation in the AI space. How do you view the recent AI regulations, such as the EU's AI Act?

Carles: Regulation is necessary to ensure accountability and transparency in AI applications, particularly in sensitive areas like finance. While the EU's AI Act is a step in the right direction, global cooperation will be essential given the borderless nature of AI.

Predictions for 2024

Jordi: Absolutely. As we approach the end of 2023, what are your predictions for the AI landscape in 2024?

Carles: I believe 2024 will see the rise of multi-modal AI, integrating text, video, and voice for more sophisticated interactions. This will lead to the emergence of AI-powered wearable devices and further integration of AI into our daily lives.

Jordi: Exciting times ahead. Carles, thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today. For our viewers interested in connecting with you, we'll provide a link to your LinkedIn profile. Thank you again, Carles.

Carles: Thank you, Jordi. It's been a pleasure.

Jordi: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Until next time, take care.