Building KU’s Approach to AI in Teaching and Learning

Dear Colleagues, 

I’m excited to share with you the formation of our new Academic AI Advisory Board. 

I’ve tasked this group of accomplished KU scholars, educators and thought leaders with helping the Lawrence and Edwards campuses develop strategies for AI in academic settings – instruction, learning, understanding, assessment and much more. The full list of members appears below.

The board will develop an academic AI strategy focused on AI literacy among students, faculty and staff – including an understanding of how AI systems work, their capabilities and limitations, and when and how they can be used responsibly and ethically. The strategy will also prepare the community to navigate legal and security considerations, as well as issues of bias, privacy, transparency, attribution, academic integrity and accountability. I’ve shared with the board that the approach should neither require nor prescribe the use of AI. Central to the success of this strategy will be access to tools and support for instructors.

The board just recently started meeting and is eagerly taking on a number of themes and an important initial project – the development of AI literacy courses for students. With time, the group will also examine the implications of AI for academic and classroom assessment.

In addition to developing a broad strategy, I’ve asked the board to serve in an ongoing advisory capacity to the Provost on emerging AI-related issues, including the evaluation of AI platforms and tools.

There are many different perspectives on how AI should shape and be shaped by higher education. The Academic AI Advisory Board will center faculty and disciplinary needs while also helping ensure KU students are ready to excel in a work force that is transforming before our eyes. I appreciate the board members’ willingness to serve and ensure KU manages this transformative technology effectively, ethically and knowledgeably.

Sincerely, 

Arash Mafi, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer, Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor

Academic AI Advisory Board Members

Douglas Ward, Advisory Board Chair, Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications and Associate Director for the Center for Teaching Excellence

Perry Alexander, Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Engineering and Director of the Institute for Information Sciences

James Basham, Professor of Special Education, School of Education and Human Sciences 

John Bricklemyer, Professor of the Practice of Project Management, Associate Dean for the School of Professional Studies

Sarah Cavanah, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications

Patrick Downes, Associate Professor of Management, School of Business

Rick Ginsberg, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, School of Education and Human Sciences

Scott Hanrath, Associate Dean, KU Libraries

Brendan Mattingly, Associate Teaching Professor, Biotechnology Program Director, School of Professional Studies, and Faculty Senate President

David Rubenstein, Professor of Law

Joanna Slusky, Professor and Associate Chair of Molecular Biosciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

John Symons, Professor of Philosophy, the College 

Nilou Vakil, Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture and Design

Sara Wilson, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering