The Idaho State Board of Education recently made an exciting announcement regarding the first recipients of its Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education fellowships. Among the two recipients for the 2024-25 academic year is Jason Blomquist, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Boise State University. This new fellowship program aims to explore the application of generative AI in higher education and promote collaboration among Idaho’s higher education institutions.
According to the board’s press release, the fellows, including Blomquist, will delve deeper into the study of generative AI through conferences and research. They will then share their findings with Idaho’s higher education community. The goal is to provide consolidated resources and access for faculty to learn about AI in higher education, ensuring they are not overwhelmed by the abundance of information available.
Blomquist, along with his fellow recipient Liza Long, plans to organize workshops and discussions across the state to generate ideas and facilitate learning. They aim to establish formal networks for faculty collaboration, starting with Idaho’s eight nursing programs. Blomquist emphasized the importance of understanding and embracing AI in education, stating, “We all have the ability to influence how AI will be incorporated into our work, so we must work together to understand, form guidelines, and learn together.”
Kelley Connor, interim divisional dean of the School of Nursing, expressed pride in Blomquist’s achievement, highlighting his expertise and academic background as assets in navigating and promoting the use of AI in higher education. Blomquist’s background in telehealth nursing and leadership has equipped him to engage with advancing technologies, including generative artificial intelligence. He has previously participated in programs focused on digital innovation and has presented on AI in healthcare.
Blomquist’s involvement in the AACN Graduate Nursing Student Academy’s Digital Innovator Program and his contributions to exploring the impact of computational innovations through the Social Impacts of Computing group at Boise State demonstrate his commitment to advancing technology in education. He has also co-authored an article on leveraging AI for education within a nursing communication framework.
As Blomquist continues his work in understanding and applying AI in higher education, he emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating how AI is utilized. He stresses the need for a fundamental understanding of AI models as “probability” machines rather than “truth” machines, highlighting the significance of making informed decisions about when and how to incorporate AI in various fields.
In conclusion, Jason Blomquist’s recognition as a recipient of the Idaho State Board of Education fellowship underscores his dedication to advancing technology in higher education. Through his efforts to promote collaboration and understanding of generative AI, Blomquist is paving the way for innovative approaches to teaching and learning in Idaho’s higher education institutions.
