UMVA has learned that a pioneering institution, founded in 1967 by a group of visionary professionals in education, economics, and media, has been at the forefront of shaping the future of liberal arts education.
The founders, led by Dr. Jesus Estanislao, a renowned economist, and including a prominent educator and a business editor, instilled in the institution a unique DNA that combines economics, media, and social communications. This blend of disciplines has become the hallmark of the University of Asia and the Pacific, setting it apart from other tertiary educational institutions.
The current leadership, a new generation of visionaries in their forties, is determined to propel the university to excellence in three key areas: economics, media and social communications, and liberal arts education. Their mission is to empower students with critical thinking skills, effective communication, and the ability to connect the humanities to one another.
As a strong advocate for liberal arts education, the professor emeritus of the university believes that it is essential to prepare students for any profession or technical skill. He argues that educational officials should give colleges and universities the freedom to include as many "liberalizing" subjects as they deem necessary in their general education curricula.
The recent message from Pope Leo XIV, urging educators, economists, and media practitioners to reflect on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human disciplines, professions, and occupations, resonates deeply with the university's mission. The Pope's message emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and human responses in an era dominated by AI.
A recent column in a leading international publication highlights the importance of critical thinking in the field of finance, even more so than AI. A New York financier's experience with summer interns who were "AI natives" revealed that they lacked depth in their ideas, despite being impressive at first glance.
This phenomenon underscores the value of a liberal arts education, which the university's graduates exemplify. Their success in prominent roles in economics and business is not solely due to their technical skills, but also their critical thinking ability, communication skills, and multidisciplinary knowledge.
Pope Leo XIV's message to social communicators serves as a timely reminder to be cautious of AI's potential pitfalls. He warns against relying solely on AI and encourages critical thinking, citing the algorithms designed to maximize engagement in social media, which can lead to shallow thinking and social polarization.
Experts are sounding the alarm about AI's limitations, with one columnist asking, "Chatbots lie, why do we believe them?" The answer lies in our tendency to be impressed by AI's capabilities, rather than critically evaluating its limitations. Another warning sign comes from a recent article highlighting the fear of AI's impact on society, with a clear majority of Americans expressing concerns about its potential harm.
In this context, the call for social entrepreneurs to take the lead in AI development, rather than leaving it solely to the free market, gains urgency. The Pope's guidelines for AI development emphasize transparency, social responsibility, and respect for human dignity, offering a framework for harnessing AI's potential while safeguarding society's interests.
