College union organizations welcome the establishment by Quebec of a body on artificial intelligence in higher education, as concerns grow among their members about this phenomenon.
Artificial intelligence is developing phenomenally and at great speed. It will of course affect teaching itself and jobs will be affected, recalled CSQ President Éric Gingras at a press conference on Wednesday to mark the start of the school year in CEGEPs in the coming days.
In this context, he applauds the announcement by Minister Pascale Déry to set up a consultation body on artificial intelligence in higher education.
However, he has some reservations about the speed of decision and action of such a body, given the number of participants and the number of ministers targeted by artificial intelligence, not to mention that “we are already behind schedule”, according to him.
As for the actual return to college, the unions of professionals, support staff and teachers of the CSQ are concerned about cuts in the maintenance of buildings in the school network.
The Auditor General’s report last May revealed that two-thirds of CEGEP buildings are in poor condition.