Spelman College Names Ayanna Howard, an A.I. Expert, as President

Spelman College, a historically Black liberal arts school for women, appointed Ayanna M. Howard, a roboticist and artificial intelligence expert, as its new president.
This marks a significant departure in leadership for the 145-year-old institution, as previous presidents were typically doctors, an anthropologist, or a psychologist.
Dr. Howard believes that liberal arts students at places like Spelman should engage deeply with the development and ethical considerations of A.I., questioning whether new capabilities should be pursued.
Spelman’s adaptability and strong endowment position it well to respond to the rise of AI, according to Dr. Howard, who sees her role as guiding these debates and resource allocation rather than dictating curriculum changes.
Dr. Howard’s academic background includes a bachelor’s in computer engineering from Brown University, and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. Her career has included roles at NASA and Georgia Tech.
The college has experienced recent turmoil with its previous president resigning after a leave of absence, leading to an interim leadership.
Dr. Howard sees contemporary student learning habits, often influenced by platforms like YouTube and TikTok, as areas that need integration into the educational paradigm.
The appointment follows another major transition at an Atlanta campus: Emory University’s selection of a new president.

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