The OHIO AI Faculty–Student Roundtable offered an organized and substantive discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in higher education. I appreciated the preparation shown by the student leadership and the structured way the conversation unfolded. The session created space for students and faculty to examine the academic, professional, and ethical implications of AI without reducing the topic to simple enthusiasm or concern.
Several points raised during the discussion stood out to me as particularly relevant to our work as educators.
Updating Pedagogy for the Current Reality
We addressed the fact that many traditional assignments no longer hold their original purpose in an environment where AI tools are widely accessible. This is not an argument for banning technology, but for redesigning assessments so that they reflect authentic learning. In my own courses, this has meant incorporating more transparency in student workflows, more emphasis on reasoning, and opportunities for students to explain their decisions rather than simply present a final output.
Human Expertise Still Matters
Cindy Yu, President of the OHIO AI student organization, noted in her follow-up message, referring to a reflection I made during the discussion, that “expertise remains the differentiator.” I agree. AI can generate content, but it cannot interpret, validate, or challenge its own results. Those responsibilities rest with people who understand their discipline. Our role is to help students build the judgment required to work with these tools responsibly and effectively.
Preparing Students for Hybrid Work Environments
The conversation also addressed the importance of preparing students to work in settings where AI will be part of daily operations. This includes creating learning experiences that reflect hybrid workflows rather than treating AI as an optional add-on. These experiences give students a realistic sense of when AI is useful, when it is unreliable, and where human judgment becomes essential.
Ethical and Equity Considerations
Concerns about transparency, hallucinations, and unequal access to advanced tools came up repeatedly. These issues reinforce the importance of clear institutional guidelines and the need for consistent expectations across courses and programs. They also highlight the broader responsibility we have to prepare students not only to use AI, but to question it.
Moving Forward
The roundtable demonstrated the value of bringing students and faculty together to discuss complex academic issues. I appreciated the professionalism of the student organizers and the contributions made by the faculty in attendance. These conversations will play an important part in how Ohio University approaches AI in the coming years, and I look forward to continued collaboration with the OHIO AI organization.
VICTOR SCAVO, AIS Professor 