AI modules aim to equip students and faculty with tools to navigate new technology

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that faculty experts introducing the AI modules were a part of the School of Data Science and Society. The faculty experts were not affiliated with the school. The article also incorrectly stated that CAIL assisted the University in the creation of AI guidelines. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for this error.

In an email to the campus community last Wednesday, interim Chancellor Lee Roberts announced four different areas of focus for the University, including strengthening UNC's ability to use, study and manage generative artificial intelligence on campus.

This academic year, the University began offering online modules for students to learn how to use AI as an ethical tool in writing and communication work. 

University faculty experts introduced the modules as a part of the Carolina AI Literacy initiative using money from a grant, which they were awarded by the School of Data Science and Society in June. The modules aim to improve student literacy on AI and its usage in student writing and communication work.

The three modules include AI prompting and thinking, fact-checking and biases as well as avoiding plagiarism and documenting sources. Students can access the modules on the initiative's website and on the UNC Canvas Commons. 

Daniel Anderson, director of the Carolina Digital Humanities and co-collaborator of CAIL, said the initiative aims to show students that AI can complement rather than undercut learning.

“It’s an effort to use AI, but use it in ways that further the mission of the University,” Anderson said.

Amanda Henley, head of digital research services at the University Libraries, said it is important that the University prepares students for a future where the use of generative AI is common. The modules go over how to create outlines for papers, how to reduce misinformation when citing sources and how to be transparent about students' use of AI in their work. 

Dayna Durbin, undergraduate teaching and learning librarian and co-collaborator of CAIL, said the library and other University initiatives like the Writing and Learning Center have worked closely with students to ensure that their research and work is free of academic concerns, like plagiarism, when using AI. 

Anderson said the modules are useful for students in interdisciplinary fields, but the initiative’s development team is currently working to expand specific guidelines for students in STEM fields. 

“We’ve found that students are eager for that guidance, and there’s not a whole lot of resources out there at the moment,” Durbin said.

The initiative hopes to receive more funding from the University to expand efforts and focus on how to use AI in other disciplines. She said libraries have a long history of helping to integrate tools into student research.

“The aim was to be proactive and have materials for students to use,” Anderson said.

The Undergraduate Library is hosting tech workshops and plans to use the modules to teach students how to incorporate generative AI in their work.

Durbin, who is also on the UNC Generative AI Committee, said the University has not developed an official policy focused on AI, but has created guidelines that will serve alongside the modules to help manage AI usage on campus.

Professors also have the ability to participate in the CAIL modules, and can incorporate them into their syllabi and Canvas sites. Durbin said until an official policy is adopted by UNC, she encourages students to follow professors’ preferences on AI usage. She said the acceptance of AI is in a messy stage because different departments have different rules.

As a leading research institution, Henley said it should be a priority to emphasize integrity within all work. 

“AI is a great opportunity for us to think about the meaning of being a person in society and on campus,” Anderson said.

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