Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Understanding AI’s conceptual foundations is key to effective integration. Below are two beginner friendly resources which explain core concepts of generative AI. 

Practical AI for Students and Teachers, YouTube Series (56 minutes) by Ethan Mollick. 

The list below are approved AI tools at CU Denver. Learn more about the apps and approval on the AI Comparison Tool website from OIT.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that generative AI tools can produce biased and inaccurate content. Any content generated by AI should be thoroughly verified for accuracy.

Microsoft Co-Pilot offers a conversational chat interface for web and mobile. It allows you to search for specific information, generate text (such as emails and summaries), and create images based on text prompts you write. Note: CU Denver users only have access to the chat interface and the mobile application. If you would like access to co-pilot integrated into Microsoft 365 applications, you need to purchase that add-on following OIT's Copilot for Microsoft 365 directions.

Zoom AI Companion is a generative AI assistant designed to enhance your productivity and collaboration within the Zoom platform. It seamlessly integrates with your Zoom experience and offers several helpful features including summarizing information and meeting assistance. Note: This functionality is turned off by default, but is available to all CU Denver Zoom users from their Zoom settings.

Adobe Express is an all in one app for making digital content such as flyers, posters, photos and more. AI generation of images powered by Adobe Firefly allows anyone to create beautiful digital content. Adobe is continuing to add AI functionality for those users who pay for the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. For more information on purchasing the suite, see OIT's Adobe for CU Denver Faculty and Staff page. 

In addition, AI tools are widely available for free on the web or integrated into common applications. The Generative AI Product Tracker lists generative AI products that are either marketed specifically towards postsecondary faculty or students or appear to be actively in use by postsecondary faculty or students for teaching, learning, or research activities. The product tracker is for reference and products are not approved or endorsed by CU Denver. 

AI tools like ChatGPT, which use machine learning to generate text, video, or images, are disrupting higher education. However, relying on these tools has limitations, such as the inability to make qualitative judgments or verify content citations. Instructors should carefully consider how to adapt to these developments. 

Digital Accessibility

How Artificial Intelligence is Improving Digital Accessibility: This blog post shares ways to enhance digital accessibility including the use of automated captioning, image recognition, and the ability to summarize long texts.

Access & Equity

Framework for Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: A practical guide by the Inclusive Design Research Centre focuses on how AI can benefit us all, it can address inequities, and it can lower barriers for people with disabilities in education. However, it can equally be used to amplify inequities (intentional and unintended), including discrimination against people who do not fit a “norm."

Academic Integrity

Addressing Academic Integrity in the Age of AI : A three part series exploring how instructors can adapt assessments and learning activities in a world where students have access to advanced AI tools. 

Can Instructors Detect AI-Generated Papers?: Twenty experienced post-secondary writing teachers were asked to grade four essays and attempted to identify which essays were AI-generated. Spoiler alert: Only 35% could.

Integrating AI into your Teaching

Let ChatGPT Be Your Teaching Assistant: This blog post shares ideas for using AI to lighten your workload. 

Using AI to Implement Effective Teaching Strategies in Classrooms: Five Strategies, Including Prompts: This paper provides guidance for using AI to quickly and easily implement evidence-based teaching strategies that instructors can integrate into their teaching. 

Rethinking Learning Outcomes in the Age of AI: A guide by Oregon State University to reflect on activities, assessments, and (possibly) course outcomes in today's world of AI. 

Syllabus Statement Examples: The CLAS AI Working Group at CU Denver developed a set of syllabus statement examples that instructors can incorporate into their syllabi. 

AI Pedagogy Project: A collection of resources for educators curious about how AI affects their students and their syllabi, developed by MetaLAB (at) Harvard. 

CU Denver will be working towards policies and practices for AI in the coming year. Collected below are frameworks to consider that address governance, operations, and pedagogy, and ensuring ethical use of AI.

An Introduction to Ethical Considerations in AI (May 2023): Easy to digest article covering the ethical considerations of AI. 

CU Denver's Academic Integrity Policy (Campus Administrative Policy 7050): You may be interested in this policy as it relates to student use of AI in your courses.  

Anthology AI Policy Framework (November 2023): Example framework for developing policies for using AI in higher education.

2024 EDUCAUSE Action Plan (September 2023): This plan provides a framework to help ensure that institutional AI-related policies and guidelines comprehensively address critical aspects of institutions. 

Higher Education Generative AI Readiness Assessment (April 2024): This document is designed to provide a sense of institutional preparedness for strategic AI initiatives.

UNC's Collection of AI Documentation: Explore how institutions in the UNC system are implementing AI policy and guidance. 

How can students learn more about AI at CU Denver? Check out the resources below. 

Learning Resources Center: The LRC offers support for students interested in using AI for student success skills. 

Know Your Rights: Academic Integrity Committee: Student Government launched a "know your rights" campaign to educate students about their rights when faced with accusations of academic dishonesty. 

Academic Integrity Canvas Course: This course is available to all students, and will soon be updated to include content on generative AI. 

Academic Integrity Process for Students: An overview of the academic integrity process for students, from allegation of dishonesty to AIC hearing.