The Responsibility of the Hastings Initiative
The Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity, made possible by Reed Hastings '83 $50 million donation to the College in March, is the largest gift in Bowdoin's history.
With a donation of this magnitude, the College has a responsibility to ensure the funds are used to reach and benefit as many community members as possible.
Existing programming, including lectures, events, and the recent Hackathon, have brought important conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) use and ethics to campus.
However, there is a need for increased clarity about how Hastings Initiative funds can be used.
The initiative should be purposeful in what programming it funds.
As events on AI become more creative and interdisciplinary, it may not always be obvious from an event's marketing how AI factors in.
The College should strive to make the connection to AI clear in its programming.
Author's Summary
Bowdoin College has a responsibility to use Hastings Initiative funds to benefit the community.