Ohio State Embraces an AI-Powered Future
Ohio State University’s Bold Move into AI
Ohio State University is making waves with one of the most ambitious AI initiatives in the history of higher education. As a leading institution, OSU is not only embracing artificial intelligence but also positioning itself as a pioneer in its integration across academic and administrative functions.
Why It Matters
With over 100,000 students, faculty, and staff, OSU is one of the largest universities in the United States and a major employer in Ohio. This massive scale makes the university’s approach to AI particularly significant. By embedding AI into its operations, OSU is setting a precedent for how other institutions can leverage this technology to enhance learning and efficiency.
The Beginning of the AI Journey
The university’s journey into AI began a year ago with the appointment of new provost Ravi Bellamkonda. His arrival marked a turning point, as he brought a vision for scaling up AI efforts. According to Shereen Agrawal, executive director of OSU’s Center for Software Innovation, Bellamkonda was driven by the need to make a bold statement about AI.
This period of exploration led to the creation of tools that empowered experimentation across the campus. Anika Anthony, associate vice provost of the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning, described it as a time of “motivated and excited exploration.”
The AI Fluency Initiative
In June, OSU launched the “AI Fluency” initiative, which aims to integrate AI education into every undergraduate curriculum. The goal is to teach students both the technical skills needed to work with AI and an ethical understanding of its impact.
“We’re not trying to replace the incredible work of our staff and faculty,” Anthony said. “We are truly looking at how we can learn about and learn with and work with AI.”
Key Learning Outcomes
The AI Fluency initiative is built around six key learning outcomes. These include:
- Teaching students to explain AI concepts
- Exploring the benefits and limitations of AI
- Evaluating AI’s ability to receive inputs and create outputs
- Assessing the accuracy of AI work
- Designing new applications around AI
A Broader Vision
OSU leadership sees AI not just as a tool for efficiency but as a paradigm shift that will shape the future. As a land-grant institution, the university has a responsibility to prepare students for leadership roles in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
“We need our students to be aware of not only the possibilities of what AI can do, but have some hands-on experiences and awareness of things we need to be cautious about,” Anthony said.
Diverse AI Tools and Applications
With the potential for 100,000 new users, OSU could have sparked a competition among AI platforms. Instead, the university chose to promote diversity by creating a list of approved tools. This approach emphasizes principles of responsible, secure, and ethical use rather than prescribing specific technologies.
Chief information officer Rob Lowden explained that the flexibility allows departments to tailor AI use to their unique needs. “It’s about application of AI to the field of study, to the thing you care about, to what you plan to do after graduation,” Agrawal said.
Balancing Incentives and Autonomy
While OSU encourages AI use, it does not mandate it. The university is walking a fine line between incentivizing adoption and respecting individual choices. Anthony acknowledged that this balance is challenging but remains confident in the approach.
“We’re incentivizing investment in their professional development,” she said.
Critical Assessment and Experimentation
Higher education is a place for critical thinking and experimentation, and OSU hopes to apply the same principles to AI. “What better place than a place that has people who know how to do research and run experiments and think through all the aspects?” Agrawal said.
Ethics and Responsibility
As AI becomes more prevalent, OSU is taking a proactive role in addressing its ethical implications. The university is part of an interdisciplinary group of academics from four universities working to guide AI adoption responsibly.
The Center on Responsible AI and Governance (CRAIG)
Experts from Ohio State, Baylor, Rutgers, and Northeastern have formed the Center on Responsible AI and Governance (CRAIG), based at OSU’s Moritz College of Law. The center focuses on holistic research and study of AI usage, aiming for safe, accurate, impartial, and accountable practices.
Dennis Hirsch, OSU professor of law and director of CRAIG, emphasized the importance of responsible AI use. “If the world is to achieve AI’s promise, it’s going to need to figure out how to use AI responsibly in ways that align with human values,” he said.
Looking Ahead
CRAIG brings together a diverse team of experts, including those from law, business, philosophy, and human resources. In a field dominated by industry, the center’s academic focus is crucial for asking the hard questions about AI’s evolving landscape.
“The center will help to build both [the knowledge and workforce] required to do this,” Hirsch said. As AI continues to shape the future, OSU’s commitment to responsible innovation sets a powerful example for the broader educational community.
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