The first edition of the AI Student Guide is written from the student perspective and contains practical advice on using AI responsibly in your studies and preparing for the AI future.
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Elon University and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) have released the first edition of a guide for students to help them navigate college in the age of artificial intelligence. The guide, titled “AI-U/v1.0,” was developed and reviewed in collaboration with faculty, researchers, academic leaders, and students at universities around the world.
The guide will be published to coincide with the start of the 2024-25 academic year. It will be offered free of charge to students and institutions for distribution and adaptation under a Creative Commons license. The guide is available at studentguidetoai.org.
“As AI begins to impact teaching and learning and many operations at colleges and universities, students need a roadmap to help them navigate these changes,” said Elon President Connie Book. “Written from the student perspective, this guide provides practical advice on how to use AI responsibly in your studies and prepare for the AI future.”
C. Edward Watson, vice president of digital innovation at AAC&U, said effective use of AI has quickly become essential learning for college students. “This guide is essential for students on their journey to AI learning,” Watson said.
The guide includes “the basic AI handbook” with ground rules that students should follow in their classes and a checklist for using AI ethically. Students will find suggestions for using AI, warnings about the downsides of using AI, lists of AI resources, and suggestions for writing prompts. There are also sections on creating an academic résumé that prepares students for success in an AI-infused world, and advice on finding jobs using AI.
Over 100 students from several universities submitted suggestions and questions for the guide, which were answered by the authors and editors of the guide.
Paul LeBlanc, former president of Southern New Hampshire University, looks at questions about the future of AI in higher education. He is encouraged that many colleges are embracing the concept of “human-centered AI” and said the guide “combines common-sense advice for students on how to use AI with guidance on building strong personal relationships and recognizing one’s own unique knowledge, skills and creativity.”
Ryan McCurdy, senior vice president and president of Lenovo North America, said the guide helps students prepare for AI-driven careers. “With the right framework, you can harness the power of artificial intelligence to pave your way in a world where technology is not just a tool, but enables innovation, collaboration and creativity,” McCurdy said. “Embrace the learning process. The skills you develop today will be the foundation for the workplace of tomorrow.”
The guide was coordinated by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, and authors, editors, and reviewers include 35 faculty members, researchers, and academic leaders from 14 countries.
The Guide will be updated as AI evolves by making changes to the Guide website and publishing revised editions for future academic terms.
The Student Guide to the AI Initiative is a continuation of Elon University’s leadership on higher education’s role in preparing humanity for the artificial intelligence revolution. In 2023, Elon coordinated the creation of a policy statement developed and supported by more than 140 higher education organizations, administrators, researchers, and faculty members from 48 countries. The statement was released at the 18th annual United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Kyoto, Japan.
