A new guide for college students navigating the world of artificial intelligence (AI) has been released by Elon University and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). The guide, titled “AI-U/v1.0,” was developed with input from faculty, scholars, academic leaders, and students from universities worldwide.
President Connie Book of Elon University emphasized the importance of providing students with a roadmap to navigate the changes that AI is bringing to teaching, learning, and university operations. The guide offers practical advice on using AI responsibly in college and preparing for a future that is increasingly influenced by AI.
According to C. Edward Watson, AAC&U’s vice president for digital innovation, learning how to effectively use AI has become essential for college students. The guide serves as a valuable resource for students on their AI learning journey, offering ground rules for using AI in classes, ethical guidelines, resources, writing prompts, and advice on how to prepare for an AI-driven career search.
The guide incorporates input and questions from over 100 students at various universities, with answers provided by the guide’s authors and editors. It aims to empower students as they prepare for careers in an AI-driven world, emphasizing the importance of developing skills that will be essential in tomorrow’s workplace.
The creation of the guide was a collaborative effort involving 35 faculty, scholars, and academic leaders from 14 countries. It will be regularly updated to reflect the evolving landscape of AI, with revisions published for future academic terms.
This initiative is part of Elon University’s commitment to preparing students for the AI revolution in higher education. In 2023, the university played a key role in developing a statement of principles on AI, endorsed by numerous higher education organizations and released at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum.
The guide serves as a valuable resource for students navigating the complexities of AI in education, offering practical advice, ethical guidelines, and insights on preparing for a future where AI plays an increasingly prominent role in teaching, learning, and career development. Students are encouraged to embrace the learning journey and harness the power of AI to drive innovation, collaboration, and creativity in their future careers.
