State University of Management Hosts Round Table on Digital Transformation in Higher Education and Scientific Organizations
On October 19, 2023, the State University of Management convened a round table discussion on the topic of digital transformation in higher education and scientific organizations. The event brought together representatives from the State Duma and the university’s leadership to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid advancement of technology.
The round table was opened by Vladimir Stroev, the rector of the State University of Management. He expressed his hope that the meeting would lead to practical conclusions that can be applied in future work. Stroev reflected on his own experience working in the field of innovation and emphasized the importance of adapting to the changing technological landscape.
Oleg Smolin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Doctor of Philosophy, also addressed the audience. He acknowledged the scientific and technological revolution taking place and the socio-economic implications of this transformation. Smolin shared contrasting views on artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting both its potential for global dominance and the risks associated with it. He expressed confidence in the education system’s ability to adopt AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, and emphasized the importance of continuous testing of student knowledge.
The round table was moderated by Oleg Lavrov, President of the Association of Russian specialists and experts in knowledge management KM Alliance. Lavrov stressed the significance of knowledge management in the present era and highlighted the need to view knowledge as an asset.
Boris Slavin, a representative of the Russian Union of IT Directors (SoDIT), drew attention to the outdated documentation practices that hinder digital transformation. He advocated for setting the right goals and employing an architectural approach to effectively leverage technology.
Vladimir Tikhomirov, Deputy Chairman of the Expert Council on Information Technologies in Education and Science, addressed the skepticism towards digitalization in the field of education in the past. He highlighted the exponential growth of knowledge in recent years and the necessity of incorporating AI technologies into education. Tikhomirov called for the creation of a working group to analyze global and domestic practices in the use of AI, involving government representatives. He also encouraged teachers to develop their skills in industrial engineering to keep up with their tech-savvy students.
Elena Tikhomirova, General Director of the eLearning Center, emphasized the importance of behavioral science and understanding human behavior in knowledge management. She underlined the need for incorporating behavioral economics into system operations to ensure efficient development.
Alexey Zobnin, a representative of Minervasoft company, highlighted the importance of IT technologies for collecting, organizing, and delivering knowledge. He emphasized the role of AI, such as ChatGPT and voice assistants, in knowledge delivery. Zobnin also presented corporate best practices for knowledge management systems.
In conclusion, Oleg Smolin recognized that the use of neural networks and AI technologies is essential in the current technological landscape. He emphasized the importance of carefully studying the associated risks to avoid becoming slaves to our own inventions. Smolin promised to present the proposals, requests, and software presentations from the round table to the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education.
The round table at the State University of Management provided a platform for meaningful discussions on digital transformation in higher education and scientific organizations. The insights shared by experts from diverse fields contribute to the ongoing exploration of innovative approaches to education and knowledge management.
