Deputy for Research and Technology of FTEU: Higher Education Must Move Toward Artificial Intelligence

The Deputy for Research and Technology of FTEU has emphasized the necessity for the higher education system to align itself with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), while also underlining the importance of establishing legal, jurisprudential, and ethical frameworks for utilizing this new technology.

According to the Public Relations Office of FTEU, Hojjat ul-Islam Seyed Naqi Mousavi, Deputy for Research and Technology, stressed in an interview the importance of a selective, rational, and Iranian-Islamic philosophical approach to AI. He added that adopting extreme stances —whether technological pessimism or unquestioned optimism— toward emerging technologies, including AI, is neither correct nor realistic.

 

Mousavi noted the formation of working groups tasked with developing a comprehensive roadmap for AI development. He explained that this document will clarify the university’s approach, understanding, and stance regarding the presence and role of AI.

 

He further emphasized that, according to this roadmap, AI is considered as “manager’s assistant”, “teacher’s assistant” and “professor’s assistant” in other words, a supporter of human resources and not a threat or replacement. Mousavi said, “AI will not be replacing teachers in the foreseeable future; therefore, reinforcing the concept of the ‘teacher’s assistant’ is a strategic necessity in confronting this new technology".

 

Highlighting the cultural and value dimensions embedded in every technology, Mousavi pointed to the need for legal, jurisprudential, and ethical regulations to guide the use of AI.  He added, "Drafting a code of conduct for AI to organize its entry into the fields of education, higher education, and particularly teacher training is essential, as every technology carries its own unique values and culture. The share and role of AI in research processes must also be clearly and precisely defined."

 

Mousavi reiterated the need for general AI literacy as a new technology, stating, “Proper utilization of AI, fostering an appropriate culture, empowering faculty members and student-teachers, and shaping a correct perception of this technology are among the critical priorities being addressed.”

 

He concluded by pointing to the expansion of physical science laboratories alongside the establishment of virtual laboratories. He asserted, “The primary objective of leveraging AI is to simulate educational and practicum scenarios, thus creating diverse learning and decision-making opportunities for student-teachers in classroom environments”.