Institutes The
a t Pe r k i o m e n
Perkiomen makes future-focused choice to add Artificial Intelligence Institute
In February, Perkiomen School announced the launch of its third
“The future is now and we must push the boundaries of how we
institute, focusing on Artificial Intelligence. The Institute model of
deliver education,” says Mark A. Devey, Head of School. “In a rapidly
learning has allowed students to take a deep-dive into subjects and
changing world, we cannot rely on an antiquated system. Emerging
topics that they are passionate about, while developing distinct and
technologies, blended into a liberal arts curriculum, must be integral
creative competencies to prepare for the hybrid jobs of the future.
to what students study today.”
WHY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
Traditional coursework in the liberal arts lays a foundation for learning and cultivates an entrepreneurial spirit in all students. By
Artificial Intelligence (AI) influences the greatest force of
adding in cross-listed courses like Computer Science, Additive
technological development happening in the world, however, it is
Manufacturing, Statistics, Psychology, and Biology, the Institutes
common that high school students know little about how it works,
will be unified, yet allow students to customize their path.
its opportunities, or its challenges. Perkiomen School strives to
Faculty will continue to promote active inquiry and problem-
change that.
solving through a variety of classroom teaching styles and off-site experiences.
“Looking at the landscape of the next several decades, there is no greater impact on society than the application of Artificial
The prevalence of AI in the world has also raised questions about how
Intelligence across industries, governance, and culture,” says
and when it is used. Perkiomen will foster exploration of not just the
Shaun Yorgey ’97, named the Director of Strategic Innovation, and
technological components, but AI literacy and ethics, differentiating
whose responsibilities include overseeing the three institutes. “We
the context of how the topic is explored. As educators, there is a
would neglect our duties as educators to not prepare our students
responsibility to help students uncover responses to the questions of
to understand, interact with, and consider the implications to
how do these interact? How will this affect our lives? And can it be
humanity.”
harmful or helpful?
AI devices and services now touch everyday life – personal
“Examining Artificial Intelligence and how it should or shouldn’t
assistants such as Siri and Alexa, the predictive analytics in Netflix
be utilized is an ethical question,” says Jonathan Moser ’97, Head
and Amazon, along with smart appliances and computer games –
of Upper School. “How can we use this technology to improve
but many do not understand the technology or decision-making
our lives? How will it change the very nature of work? How do
behind them. There is a demand for AI across all industries,
we avoid deepening economic divisions? I am personally excited
especially those encompassing question-answering systems.
about this new Institute because it is a vehicle for philosophical
Teaching students now about the underlying concepts including
inquiry. The vast majority of our students will not be creating AI,
algorithms, coding, and data, and how to apply those concepts,
but all of them will be living with it. The nature of our coexistence
provides that specific knowledge and helps develop complex
with AI is just now being defined and our students will be at the
problem-solving skills. While millions of jobs may be replaced by
forefront of shaping policy and ultimately our relationship with
AI, more than 130 million new jobs will be created. Perkiomen asks:
this new technology.”
who will be prepared to fill those roles?
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P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E
