Imagine a world where MIT educates hundreds of millions of learners across the globe on the fundamentals of AI with an application-oriented process. A world where we educate learners of all ages on AI’s potential to revolutionize every field, from medicine and climate studies to law and the humanities. A world where modules taught by MIT faculty are delivered to universities, two-year colleges, medical and financial institutions, companies, and even high schools.

With an idea I call Universal AI, that world is at our fingertips – and I need the help of every MIT faculty member as I embark on this groundbreaking educational journey in my role as vice provost for open learning. But first, let me explain what I mean by Universal AI and how you – MIT faculty – are key to making it a reality.

A vision for Universal AI

Universal AI is a platform that involves a horizontal collection of modules covering the fundamentals of AI with an application-oriented process. Each module contains three to four lectures – approximately 70 lectures in total. These horizontal modules cover four areas:

1. predictive AI using structured data;
2. predictive AI using unstructured data;
3. multimodal AI combining multiple structured and unstructured modes; and
4. prescriptive AI where we try to make decisions.

To complement the horizontal modules on the fundamentals of AI, the platform will include vertical modules of AI + X highlighting the various applications of AI in specific fields. In health care, for example, we could have vertical modules for AI + oncology, AI + cardiology, and AI + hospital operations – to name a few.

Last summer, I tested this idea and the results were encouraging. I taught an accelerated class in Greece using some horizontal AI modules that drew participation from 500 students in person and 1,500 remotely. I also led lectures on universal AI for health at Hartford Hospital, with oncologists, cardiologists, and others who discussed how AI is being used to solve real problems in health care. My goal is to scale these pilot programs and offer them to a global audience of learners, by packaging and delivering these modules through MIT Learn^[1]. To ensure that all learners receive guidance, each module will be supported by automated tutors that have been trained using generative AI. At MIT Open Learning, we are developing these tutors.

In the rapidly evolving field of AI, these modules are easier to maintain up to date than traditional longer classes, and they are relevant to a universal audience of learners across all fields of study.

A vision with campus and global impact

While MIT is a global leader in AI, it doesn’t currently have AI + X. The Universal AI horizontal and vertical modules offer a great opportunity to expand our students’ horizons. The more we prepare our students for the era of AI, the better we do our jobs. Together, we can positively affect MIT’s residential education.

As we enter the era of artificial intelligence, AI will be for every field what calculus currently is for engineers and scientists. It will become essential knowledge. By providing horizontal AI modules along with AI + X verticals, we will affect higher education at a global scale. At MIT, we have the talent and the knowledge needed to create the Universal AI platform and educate hundreds of millions of learners. Together, we can revolutionize higher education and have a greater impact on the world.

We’ll offer a license for the Universal AI platform to universities, two-year colleges, medical schools, hospitals, as well as companies. Multiple national and international universities have already confirmed their interest in participating in a pilot with MIT for the Universal AI platform, and I have started meeting with hospitals interested in using Universal AI to upskill their staff.

How you can participate

Universal AI scales MIT’s mission by combining the Institute’s breadth of expertise and research and MIT Open Learning’s track record of delivering digital learning experiences. My goal is to launch the Universal AI platform in May 2025 with at least 10 institutions around the world. Learning from this initial experience, my plan is to then scale this initiative to many other institutions. However, this effort cannot succeed without your help. Join me in educating the world in AI and its potential to revolutionize all fields. You may participate in three ways:

1. Propose a particular AI + X vertical based on your research and area of expertise. MIT Open Learning will issue an official request for proposals by the end of the year.
2. Participate in the soon-to-be launched seminar series on AI + X, which will be held every two weeks in the spring term 2025. I’m developing the seminar series in partnership with Asu Ozdaglar, deputy dean of academics at MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, with the goal of fostering a research community around AI + X.
3. Contact me at dbertsim@mit.edu to discuss Universal AI and your ideas for AI + X verticals.

I recognize that the Universal AI vision is highly ambitious. However, to reach the millions of people across the world whose lives will be affected by the rapid growth of AI technology, we need to reimagine how to deliver AI education at scale. With your help, Universal AI can impact the world in ways and magnitudes never seen before. Together, we will educate and prepare hundreds of millions of learners in every field for the era of AI.

^[1] The new MIT Learn website (learn.mit.edu) enables learners across the world to access all MIT non-degree learning opportunities, making it easier for them to find more than 12,500 educational resources available on the Institute’s various learning platforms.

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