UTSA launches 'AI Essentials' guide to equip students for GenAI

SEPTEMBER 16 2024 — “AI Essentials: Guidelines and Approaches” will help UTSA students explore the opportunities, challenges and trends of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Released earlier this semester, the guide will offer practical advice for students and will encourage them to explore GenAI’s potential with faculty and their peers.

“Generative AI is just a tool, but it can also be a catalyst for innovation and discovery,” said Melissa Vito, UTSA vice provost for academic innovation. “These guidelines are meant to help students and faculty navigate GenAI and encourage them to discover new ways to enhance learning, research and academic success.”

“AI Essentials” reflects extensive collaboration between faculty and students, developed with input from UTSA Student Government Association representatives and the academic affairs units of student success and academic innovation. The guidelines provide students with the knowledge and skills to use AI responsibly and effectively throughout their academic journey.

“This is about more than just providing resources, it’s about fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration.”

“These guidelines will be continuously refined as we collect feedback to ensure they reflect the latest developments in AI and its educational applications,” said Amy Buechler-Steubing, UTSA student success associate vice provost for strategic initiatives and learning innovation. “By involving the entire academic community, we’re ensuring that UTSA’s approach to GenAI is informed and adept at evolving along with the technology.”

UTSA has been at the forefront of analyzing how generative AI impacts teaching and learning. Following the first major public release of ChatGPT in November 2022, UTSA organized a group of faculty members to examine the tool’s potential. In early 2023, those faculty members formed the GenAI Peer Learning Network. They released "Using Generative AI in Teaching, Learning and Research," a hub of resources offering innovative teaching strategies, insights on ethical AI use and professional development opportunities. It also encourages faculty to integrate AI into their curricula.

“This is about more than just providing resources, it’s about fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration,” said Marcela Ramirez, associate vice provost for academic innovation’s office of teaching, learning and digital transformation. “We want our faculty and students to be active participants in shaping how GenAI is utilized, ensuring that it serves as a tool for deeper learning and innovation.”

UTSA’s collaborative, community-driven approach to GenerativeAI has also been extended across the UT System and beyond. UTSA Academic Innovation was critical in organizing and hosting the UT System Conference on Innovating Teaching & Learning in the Era of Generative AI in March 2024. Over 150 faculty, students, staff and leaders from the UT System attended the conference at the UTSA’ Downtown Campus.

These activities underscore UTSA’s proactive stance in preparing its academic community for the future. By hosting such pivotal events and providing comprehensive resources, UTSA is preparing its faculty and students for an AI-driven world and setting a standard for other institutions.

— Brett Copeland