At Utah Tech University, new courses will be teaching students how to use artificial intelligence as a tool to improve their skills.
As AI becomes more integrated into modern technology, we see colleges nationwide finding ways to adapt and prepare students. At Utah Tech, professors in their classes are teaching students to enhance their skills and creativity.
Utah Tech’s policy
Utah Tech’s policy on AI use varies based on professor’s discretion. A professor must clearly state the rules of AI use in their course which includes:
- If the use of AI is allowed
- How and when it can be used
- How to properly cite it
- The consequences of violations
Utah Tech’s Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities says the use of AI to complete assignments counts as plagiarism, if AI is prohibited by the instructor.
English class
Next semester, a new English course will be taught by Cheri Crenshaw, professor of English. The course is called Professional and Technical Writing: Writing with AI, a special topics class.
Crenshaw said the course will cover, “…using AI as an assistant with research and writing, evaluating AI-generated writing for accuracy, bias and credibility, and maintaining academic and professional integrity.”
Crenshaw said the course teaches students to treat AI as a tool to enhance their skills, while also pushing them to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of AI.
Media class
Some media courses have integrated the use of AI into the coursework. Jiachun Hong, assistant professor of communication, has taught an AI video production course before at a previous university. The course taught students how to use AI to create a story. Hong also teaches a Multimedia Journalism class at Utah Tech that teaches students how to use AI to create music videos.
The new course he will be teaching next semester will be a lab on how to use AI to create images, audio and video stories, Hong said.
As AI keeps integrating into modern technology, the harder it is to tell the difference between what is real and what is fake. It can become an issue when it comes to authenticity and can lead to spreading misinformation, Hong said.
“Only the people who know how to use AI will replace the people who don’t know how to use AI,” Hong said.
Other universities
Schools across the nation are adding courses and degrees that incorporate AI.
While AI isn’t new, it is becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life. Some students currently use it as a tool to help them with their assignments.
“If students are taught proper ethical use, being transparent on how it is used, then we can greatly benefit from it. It is becoming more common for businesses to expect their employees to use AI to improve their work performance,” Crenshaw said.
Student perspectives
One student felt that AI courses would hinder their learning in the classroom.
“Your thoughts are very dependent on a different generator than your own brain,” said Anaiya Roberts, a freshman biochemistry-molecular biology major from Gillette, Wyoming.
Another student said he was interested in AI classes.
“I think it would be a lot of fun to take a class on how to use [AI] safely and productively,” said Jack Brown, a freshman digital film major from Lehi. “As a film student, AI is slightly scary, but I believe that it can actually do a lot more help rather than harm. Using AI can help create shots that aren’t feasible on a student set.”
