AI Critics Might Be Right – If Faculty Do Nothing

Critics warn that AI will undermine the value of education, eroding students’ critical thinking and writing skills.

They might be right – if faculty ignore AI.

You could respond to these warnings by not adopting an AI policy or simply prohibiting students from using it.  If so, critics’ predictions are likely to become self-fulfilling prophecies.

In reality, AI is already reshaping how some students think, learn, and write.  Faculty have the opportunity to help them use these tools responsibly.

If we don’t?  Students will still use AI – but they’ll do it in secret, without guidance, and without learning the lessons we want our courses to deliver.

My article, Facing Faculty Fears About AI, identifies widespread fears including:

  • I won’t be able to tell when students use AI to cheat
  • My students won’t develop essential thinking and writing skills
  • I will look dumb trying to talk about it

This piece acknowledges those common fears and suggests practical ways to address them.

The solution isn’t to become a tech expert overnight.  It’s to model what we hope our students will become:  curious, open, and always learning.  If you approach AI with this attitude, you’re more likely to gain students’ respect than to lose it.

This piece outlines two broad strategies for using AI in your courses:  restricting it and incorporating it.  Both strategies are appropriate in different settings.  The piece includes sample language for syllabi in legal writing, doctrinal, skills, clinical, and other courses.

Thoughtful engagement with AI isn’t just about detecting if students use it in writing their papers.  It’s about teaching students the kind of creativity, reflection, and professional habits they’ll need after graduation.

Are you curious?  Cautious?  Overwhelmed?  That’s understandable, especially considering critics’ warnings about dangers of AI.

Take a look – and decide for yourself.

 

PS.  You might want to check out a free webinar on August 7 at 9 PT, 10 MT, 11 CT, noon ET. It’s “What NextGen Really Means for Your Teaching and 3 Ways to Simplify It with AI,” presented by Stetson Professor Linda Anderson.  Click here to register.

She says, “In one hour, I’ll unpack the key shifts in NextGen, share how AI can take the busywork off your plate, and give you 3 AI prompts that you can use for lesson plans, assignments, and feedback right away.”