A New Era: AI in Higher Education

As artificial intelligence (AI) grows quickly, many people in colleges are wondering: What will a college degree look like in the future, and how will AI change the way we teach, learn, and lead? Artificial intelligence is widely used in industries ranging from farming to finance, with tools becoming more advanced and easier to access. AI-powered platforms enhance educational experiences by offering personalized learning, immediate feedback, and resource accessibility. However, the implications of AI-generated content has also raised concerns about maintaining academic integrity in the student learning experience.

Colleges and universities are entering a new era where generative AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can do more than just basic tasks—they enable teachers and staff improve how they create interactive lessons, grade assignments, and share information. Mollick (2024) points out that while past technologies mostly improved our physical abilities, AI is the first broadly useful tool designed to enhance our thinking. Unlike older tools, generative AI helps us develop new educational resources, understand complex concepts, and collaborate to solve problems.

At the School of Integrated Learning and Development (SILD) at Indiana Wesleyan University, we don’t see artificial intelligence as a threat to our mission—we see it as a partner.

From Hype to Helpfulness

AI is improving quickly. As Mollick (2024) says, “This is the worst AI you will ever use” (p. 3), meaning today’s powerful tools are just the beginning. Programs like ChatGPT already save time and help people be more creative. AI tools can now complete research tasks much faster than before, allowing faculty to spend more time on meaningful work like teaching, mentoring, and serving. Even though there’s a lot of excitement around AI, its most useful benefits are actually very simple. In education, AI tools can help spot trends in student responses, improve student interactions, and support new ideas for programs. It helps bring structure, insight, and creativity to everyday work. Additionally, AI can transform the grading process by improving efficiency, precision, and fairness.

Using AI doesn’t mean giving up control—it means gaining new abilities. Mollick’s comparison of AI and humans working together to a centaur is compelling: the AI provides speed and strength (like the horse body), while people contribute thinking and judgment (like the human heart and head). Together, we’re stronger than we are alone. Artificial intelligence can also enhance the learning experience by providing interactive tools and personalized support that empowers students to learn complex concepts independently.

Leading Through Mindset and Culture

The biggest challenge in using AI well isn’t the technology—it’s how we think about it. Very few organizations have adopted the core habits needed to use artificial intelligence widely and effectively. So the problem isn’t access to AI—it’s knowing how to use it well. In schools and universities, some faculty and staff might worry that AI takes away from creativity or critical thinking and threatens academic integrity. Additionally, the ethical considerations of implementing AI systems in education, such as data privacy and bias, are significant concerns. That’s why leadership is so important. As Fountaine et al. explains, “Leaders must convey the urgency of AI initiatives and their benefits for all.”

Demonstrating the use of AI tools and their potential impact helps pave the way for meaningful change in modern education. Mollick (2024) supports this idea: “Users who intimately understand the nuances… are uniquely positioned to unlock AI’s full innovative potential” (p. 73). The best results with AI come from people who are curious, thoughtful, and ready to lead. AI tools can also enhance professional development by automating administrative tasks and creating more effective training sessions for teachers. At SILD, using AI starts with creating a culture of trust and learning. When faculty and staff feel safe to try new things, make mistakes, reflect, and share, real innovation can happen.

Everyday Impact in Teaching and Student Engagement

For faculty and staff, AI is already a helpful partner in everyday work. AI technologies are used in automating administrative tasks to alleviate the workload of teachers and school administrators. AI tools don’t just produce content—they can also help us understand complex concepts. At SILD, faculty use AI in education to teach students how it connects to their subject areas. Faculty also use it to revise course materials, organize lessons more clearly, and make sure everything matches the learning goals.

AI tools also streamline administrative tasks. Staff use it for routine tasks, like writing emails, checking documents, and brainstorming new projects. In higher education, we can use the everyday data we already have—like student feedback, assignment patterns, and grades—to find helpful patterns and make stronger decisions with the help of AI. These AI-driven analytics translate everyday educational data into actionable insights that enhance academic performance and support better learning outcomes.

Some people raise ethical considerations, worrying that integrating AI could lead to a loss of academic integrity or even replace teachers. However, these fears are often based more on emotion than fact. Right now, AI can’t think on its own or make complex decisions without people guiding it. It’s a tool, not a replacement for educators’ creativity, wisdom, or judgment.

Personalized Learning with Generative AI

AI in education is opening powerful new pathways to support individualized learning through greater customization and flexibility. By using AI-powered tools during lesson planning, educators can align instruction with individual learning styles using adaptive learning platforms and create more effective, personalized learning paths tailored to individual student needs and learning styles. These tools also provide real-time insights into student performance, allowing teachers to adapt content and pace for each learner. AI tools and adaptive learning platforms can provide personalized student support by analyzing data to enhance learning experiences. As a result, AI doesn’t just streamline instruction—it enhances student learning and helps create a more inclusive, student-centered experience in learning environments.

Partnership, Not Replacement

Generative AI is good at finding patterns, offering ideas, and handling simple, repetitive tasks. But it can’t replace critical thinking, strong values, or the power to inspire others. Mollick (2024) reminds us, “Humans working with AI outperform all but the best humans working without it” (p. 210). In SILD, we see AI as most helpful when we use it with curiosity and care. It can spark new ideas and help prepare students for the future.

The best way to learn how to use AI tools is simple: just start using it. Faculty and staff can think of AI as a co-worker, coach, or creative partner. As Mollick (2024) says, “Always invite AI to the table” (p. 212). For faculty, AI can help redesign courses, create lessons that match student learning goals, study performance data, and create stronger teaching strategies. From helping students write papers to using AI-powered assessment tools that analyze spoken words, these technologies offer diverse support across disciplines. AI-driven educational tools facilitate peer learning by creating opportunities for students to engage in peer-to-peer interactions. It’s also great for making everyday tasks run more smoothly. You don’t have to know every generative AI tool—what matters most is being open to trying, learning, and adjusting. Even small steps can build confidence and lead to new opportunities.

Embracing AI in Higher Education

Artificial intelligence is changing how colleges teach, support, and connect with students. Lauria (2023) noted, “The more humans use ChatGPT, the more analytical, creative, and value-added it will get." It saves time, sparks new ideas, and challenges us to rethink how we prepare students for a fast-changing world. AI technologies in educational contexts offer both benefits and challenges, such as aiding teachers in lesson planning and administrative tasks while raising concerns about students misusing AI to complete assignments. Our mission hasn’t changed—but now we have better tools.

As we move forward, we are committed to learning more, sharing ideas, and growing together. AI in virtual and augmented reality can enhance learning by simulating real-world scenarios, providing immersive experiences that mimic actual situations. By using AI with curiosity and courage, we can create a future where AI technology helps students and teachers succeed—together.

Step Into the Future of Teaching and Learning

Whether you're just beginning your teaching journey or ready to deepen your expertise, Indiana Wesleyan University’s School of Integrated Learning and Development offers a comprehensive path forward. SILD equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in today’s learning environments while remaining rooted in purpose-driven teaching. Through flexible programs, supportive faculty, and a focus on both innovation and mission, future and current teachers are empowered to lead with confidence, creativity, and compassion. Find your program today!

Dr. Amie Anderson is the Dean for the School of Integrated Learning and Development at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Sources

Mollick, E. (2024). Co-intelligence: Living and working with AI. Penguin Random House.

AI tools were used to assist in writing and content development.