“I think there should be a healthy skepticism. I think there also should be a willingness to test the system to ensure biases are called out as they are generated in real time. It’s essential to be part of the process and have a voice and have a say rather than waiting until the result, getting a product, and it doesn’t represent you.”
The Genesis of a Scientific Mind Personal experiences and early encounters with technology profoundly influenced Dr. Morris’s journey into technology and education. Her older brother suffered brain damage due to meningitis at the age of four. Witnessing her brother's struggles and triumphs fueled her passion for understanding the brain and leveraging technology to create supportive learning environments, igniting Dr. Morris’s scientific curiosity at a young age. Luckily, Muhsinah’s scientific curiosity was supported at home with her first computer, a Commodore 64, a gift from her father. This computer would become the gateway to a world where technology and education could intersect meaningfully.
Reshaping Education with a Groundbreaking Metaversity and the World's First Spatial 3D AI Teaching Assistant
One of Dr. Morris's most notable achievements is her role on the team responsible for creating the world's first Metaversity at Morehouse College. But what exactly is a metaverse? The term combines "metaverse" and "university," representing a virtual campus that leverages immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) to create an interactive and engaging learning environment. In this digital realm, students can attend lectures, participate in discussions, and collaborate on projects as if physically present on campus. The metaverse concept addresses several challenges in traditional education, such as accessibility and engagement. It allows students worldwide access to quality education without geographical constraints. Furthermore, VR’s immersive nature enhances the learning experience, making it more interactive and memorable. Under Morris' leadership, Morehouse College's Metaversity has become a model for institutions worldwide, demonstrating the transformative potential of immersive technologies in education. Building on her success with the Metaversity, Dr. Morris collaborated with her Morehouse team and ed-tech partners, Victory XR, to introduce another groundbreaking innovation: the world's first spatial 3D AI Teaching Assistant. This AI-powered assistant uses advanced natural language processing and spatial computing to interact with students in a lifelike manner. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, the 3D AI Teaching Assistant can understand and respond to students’ questions with contextual awareness, giving them
personalized guidance and support. This innovation enhances the learning experience and helps educators manage their workload by handling routine queries and providing instant feedback to students. The AI Teaching Assistant can also adapt to individual learning styles, offering customized resources and recommendations to help students succeed. Dr. Morris's pioneering work in this area is a testament to her commitment to leveraging AI to improve education and empower learners.
technologies and AI has paved the way for new applications and use cases, inspiring other innovators to explore the possibilities of these cutting-edge tools. The metaverse model, for instance, can transform not only education but also corporate training, professional development, and remote collaboration. Also, with the Morris Research and Innovation Group at Morehouse College, Dr. Morris ensures that knowledge and technology are used to create inclusiveness in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, & Math.) The spatial 3D AI Teaching Assistant represents a significant advancement in AI–human interaction. By creating a more natural and intuitive interface, Dr. Morris has set a new standard for AI-driven educational tools,
demonstrating the potential for AI to augment human capabilities and enhance learning outcomes. Amid growing concerns about AI, its uses, and capacities, Dr. Morris maintains that AI is the future. She believes that with more people involved and speaking up about various issues arising from the development of this technology, it will further become a more powerful tool with benefits for everyone. DR MOM: Molder of Minds As a hands-on mother to five sons, including Seth, who has autism, Dr. Morris’s experience as a special needs mom has deeply influenced her perspective and advocacy work. She co-authored a book with Seth titled
Impact on the Tech Industry Dr. Morris's contributions have profoundly impacted the broader tech industry. Her work with immersive
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