The intersection of artificial intelligence and education has gained attention with the release of the Microsoft AI Economy Institute’s first book, Degrees of Change: What AI Means for Education and the Next Generation. One of the 14 contributors, Daniel Maxwell, PhD, a consultant at the University of Florida (UF), examines how AI is affecting education and white-collar work in his chapter, “Is It You? The Importance of Figuring Out What It Means to Be Human in the Age of AI," according to UF News.
During his research, Maxwell joined the Microsoft AI Economy Institute as a senior fellow, where he studied the effects of AI on the workforce and economic productivity. His chapter, written after his selection in March, examines creativity and human responsibility in an AI-influenced future.
The book was launched during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting this week in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, highlighting the global relevance of the topic. Released on Wednesday, it addresses AI, creativity, and human responsibilities in the workforce, aiming to inform discussions among policymakers, educators, and industry leaders worldwide.
At the University of Florida, Maxwell serves as a liaison to the arts and humanities faculty through UF Information Technology Research Computing. In this role, he provides guidance on AI skills, data science, and access to computational resources such as HiPerGator, UF’s supercomputer. HiPerGator is recognized as the fastest supercomputer in U.S. higher education and the 10th fastest university-owned AI supercomputer globally. Maxwell’s work involves practical applications, translating concepts from Degrees of Change into academic and research settings.
