As each year passes, the world sees more advancements in technology and the distribution of information. One of the most well-known and widely used technological marvels is the rise of ‘ChatGPT’, the generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbot created by OpenAI.
As GenAI continues to evolve, so do its regulations. Thus, UTSA’s ‘AI Essentials’ guidelines seek to educate students on how to use GenAI responsibly and in accordance with their respective course syllabi.
According to UTSA Today, the ‘AI Essentials’ guidelines are the result of a collaboration between faculty and students as they were created with input from the Student Government Association (SGA) and the academic affairs units of student success and academic innovation. The guidelines serve to provide students with the necessary knowledge to utilize GenAI at UTSA without violating campus-wide rules against AI.
Since the public launch of ChatGPT in 2022, UTSA has shown interest in how GenAI will change the learning environment. In early 2023, they organized a group of faculty members who formed the GenAI Peer Learning Network. This led to the creation of the ‘Generative AI Teaching and Learning’ hub, which offers “innovative teaching strategies, insights on ethical AI use and professional development opportunities.”
The guidelines will “continuously be refined,” as the team receives feedback, claimed Amy Buechler-Steubing, UTSA Student Success Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Learning Innovation. This is to ensure that the resources available to students are up to date in the developments of AI.
“You have to learn about Generative AI because it is a ubiquitous part of our life that is only going to grow more the longer that it exists,” said Dr. Melissa Vito, the Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at UTSA. Vito believes that the ability to discern what is generated by an AI and what is man-made is a necessary skill for the future. She claims that it all boils down to critical thinking.
UTSA’s team of faculty and students believe that teaching students about AI is a top priority as its influence on the wider world continues to increase. Marcela Ramirez, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation’s Office of Teaching, Learning and Digital Transformation, states, “This is about more than just providing resources, it’s about fostering a culture of curiosity and collaboration. 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.” The ‘AI Essentials’ guidelines aim to accomplish just that.
