Faculty navigates AI integration in higher education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually infiltrating college and university settings, sparking conversations among faculty members about its potential applications in teaching and research. While students are already integrating AI into their academic endeavors, faculty members are exploring various ways to incorporate it into their work.

In a 2023 survey by BestColleges, 54% of college students reported using AI in their assignments, indicating a growing familiarity and reliance on AI tools. Among faculty members, there’s a spectrum of AI adoption. Some utilise it in classroom assignments, others employ it for grading purposes while maintaining a degree of oversight, and some leverage it for organising research concepts.

Angela Seaworth, an instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, is among those experimenting with AI in teaching. In her fundraising course, she incorporates AI into assignments, allowing students to explore its capabilities firsthand. For instance, students write donor letters and thank-you notes using AI tools alongside their own writing. Seaworth observes that students appreciate the exercise and often opt for their original compositions.

However, she acknowledges that AI may struggle to replicate the personalised touch that human writers can convey, especially in fields like fundraising where personal connections are paramount.

Seaworth’s approach exemplifies how faculty members are integrating AI into coursework to enhance student learning experiences. By incorporating AI into assignments, students gain practical exposure to AI tools while honing their writing skills and critical thinking abilities. However, the human element remains crucial, particularly in disciplines where emotional intelligence and personalisation play significant roles.

Overall, faculty members are cautiously exploring AI’s potential benefits in education while acknowledging its limitations. As AI continues to evolve, its role in academia is likely to expand, offering new opportunities for innovation and collaboration between humans and machines.