North Carolina Leads in AI Innovation: College Students Reflect on Its Impact

North Carolina is emerging as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), with college students at the forefront of experiencing and shaping the technology's rapid evolution. As AI becomes integrated into daily life, students are leveraging it for tasks such as nutrition tracking, online tutoring, and platforms like ChatGPT, while also grappling with its broader implications for education, work, and society.

Noah Campbell, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, recalled his early exposure to AI in 2019, when it was primarily used for basic applications like image recognition and text-to-speech. Duke graduate Hannah Ford participated in a 2021 winter course on image recognition, sensing that AI was on the cusp of transforming industries and daily life. Today, AI has become a ubiquitous tool for young adults, simplifying tasks and aiding decision-making.

AI Integration in Education and Daily Life

Campbell highlighted AI's ability to process and paraphrase large amounts of information, making it particularly useful for creating study quizzes during exams. He is also involved in a project to introduce AI literacy into English courses and modernize curricula through syllabus workshops. Ford, who participated in an OpenAI ChatGPT lab at Duke, described AI as a personalized learning assistant that simplifies tasks and supports decision-making.

According to recent Pew Research Center data, about 20% of U.S. workers report using AI in some capacity, and 61% of Americans express a desire for greater control over how AI is used in their lives. While acknowledging concerns about the volume of AI-generated content, Campbell compared the technology to fire, emphasizing its potential for both benefit and harm.

Regulation and Education: The Path Forward

State leaders in North Carolina are working to adapt to AI's rapid advancements by implementing strong guardrails. Campbell believes that regulation will evolve through trial and error, with policies emerging as the technology's impact becomes clearer. Ford stressed the importance of education, advocating for a new curriculum that teaches students not only how to use AI effectively but also how to be cautious and aware of its potential risks.

As North Carolina continues to position itself as an AI leader, the state's approach to regulation and education will likely serve as a model for other regions navigating the complexities of this transformative technology.