Basem Aly is the Assistant Director of Instructional Technology at Columbia Law School, where he manages all online learning resources and assists faculty and students in leveraging technology for teaching and learning. A key focus of his role involves researching and consulting on artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools like ChatGPT.
Aly advises students in the Law School clinic and the "Lawyering in the Digital Age" course on effectively utilizing AI to assist clients such as the New York Legal Aid Society. He also conducts workshops for faculty, providing guidance on integrating ChatGPT and similar technologies into their teaching while emphasizing academic integrity and rigorous fact-checking.
Prior to joining Columbia, Aly spent over a decade at Pratt Institute in various roles. As Associate Director of Research and Strategic Projects, he deployed remote learning platforms like Canvas LMS and Zoom in response to COVID-19, serving over 5,000 students and 2,500 faculty. He researched emerging technologies, resulting in white papers, business plans, and grant applications totaling $250,000.
Aly also served as a Professor and Program Coordinator, helping to establish Pratt's accredited Associates Degree program in Game Design & Interactive Media. He taught courses on game design, virtual reality, and rapid prototyping while advising student organizations. Earlier, Aly worked as a Senior Developer, implementing websites, fundraising platforms, and managing Pratt's WordPress multisite.
Through his work, Aly aims to empower students, faculty, and the broader legal community to harness emerging technologies ethically and effectively in education and practice.