Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. From enhancing research and accessibility to reshaping assessments and ethical considerations, AI serves as both a powerful resource and a complex challenge in the modern classroom. Faculty members across disciplines are adapting to this new reality, finding ways to integrate AI while maintaining the integrity and rigor of higher education.

We spoke with educators from Daytona State College, Stetson University Law School, and St. Johns River State College to understand how AI is reshaping education.

A New Way to Teach and Learn

Dr. Cheryl Kohen, Associate Vice President of Academic Services at Daytona State College, emphasized that AI literacy has become a crucial part of higher education. “AI has become a natural extension of information literacy,” she said. “Students must learn how to critically assess AI-generated content just as they evaluate traditional sources.”

Richard Vollaro, Chair of the School of Communication at Daytona State College, sees AI as an opportunity to enhance student engagement and accessibility. “We’re using AI to help students research real-world issues, which often leads to service-learning projects,” he explained. “It’s also been a game-changer for accessibility, allowing students with diverse learning needs to translate materials, adjust reading levels, and engage in ways that work best for them.”

Kristen Chittenden, an adjunct professor at Stetson Law School and the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Turnitin—an end-to-end assessment platform promoting critical thinking, originality, and the prevention of plagiarism—developed a course named “AI and the Law”. Chittenden views AI as a resource that must be both examined and embraced. “I incorporated AI into my teaching because students are expected to use it after leaving the incubator of academic instruction,” she said. “Each week, we conducted experiments with AI, from testing its limitations to leveraging it as a study aid. The goal was to demystify AI while fostering critical thinking about its use.”

Challenges in Assessment and Academic Integrity

While AI serves as a valuable learning aid, it also complicates traditional assessments. Dr. Daniel Ray, a lead faculty instructor in the Organizational Management department at St. Johns River State College, pointed out that AI’s ability to generate polished essays raised questions about whether students truly understood the material. “Assessing competency versus confidence is a challenge,” he noted. “Quizzes and written assignments alone don’t provide the full picture, so I rely on verbal and visual assessments to ensure students grasp the concepts.”

Chittenden highlighted the complexities AI introduced to citation and intellectual property. “Students struggled with citing AI-generated content, checking it for accuracy, and distinguishing between AI consolidation and original sources,” she noted. Her solution was to vary assessment methods, including oral presentations and structured AI use in final projects.

Vollaro agreed, emphasizing the importance of knowing students’ writing styles. “When you build relationships with students and understand their voices, you can tell when something doesn’t sound like them,” he said. “AI-generated work often lacks authenticity, and patterns emerge that make it recognizable.”

AI as a Tool for Critical Thinking and Workforce Readiness

Despite the challenges, AI has immense potential to prepare students for the future workforce. “AI won’t replace critical thinking—it will require it,” Kohen asserted. “Students who learn to interact with AI effectively will be better equipped for careers that demand analytical and problem-solving skills.”

Ray incorporated AI into his data analytics courses, teaching students to use tools like TensorFlow and Pandas to analyze large datasets. “AI accelerates the data analysis process, making it a crucial skill for future professionals,” he said. “Understanding AI-driven analytics is becoming just as important as understanding traditional research methods.”

Chittenden believes AI will continue to shape education in profound ways. “In the next decade, we will likely see more AI-driven tutoring and personalized learning experiences,” she noted. “Educators will be freed to focus on developing students’ creativity, social intelligence, and ethical reasoning—skills that AI cannot replicate.”

Embracing AI with Caution and Purpose

AI is undeniably reshaping higher education, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While it enhances accessibility, streamlines learning, and prepares students for the workforce, it also demands careful consideration of ethics, academic integrity, and misinformation. As Kohen aptly summarized, “The best way to prepare students for an AI-driven world is not to ban it, but to teach them how to use it wisely.”

Educators like Kohen, Vollaro, Chittenden, and Ray are leading the charge, ensuring that AI is leveraged as a tool for empowerment rather than a shortcut to success. Chittenden remained optimistic about AI’s potential, emphasizing that humanity has always adapted to new tools. “From the printing press to the internet, technological advancements have always reshaped education,” she said. “AI is no different. Our job is to guide students in using it responsibly and effectively to complement their learning.”

This article was written with assistance from AI.