AI Working Groups

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming all industries including higher education. It takes a team of forward-thinking individuals to address how AI can be responsibly and ethically integrated into teaching/learning and in university systems.

Our Mission

The Eastern University AI Working Group was formed in June 2025 to provide guidance for the responsible and ethical use of AI in teaching and learning and in university systems. The working group consists of committee members who represent faculty, staff, and administration from across the university.

Meet Our Subcommittees

Academic Integrity and AI Use

The Academic Integrity and AI Use group functions as a partnership with Eastern University’s Faculty Senate. They are tasked with updating university policies to reflect the evolving realities of generative AI in student coursework. They provide faculty with clear guidelines on identifying academic dishonesty, conducting fair student evaluations, and communicating expectations regarding AI assistance.

AI and Spirituality

This working group examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and faith by developing a comprehensive "Theology of AI" statement for the university. They ensure that ethical, privacy, environmental, and labor justice considerations remain central to the institution's technological adoption. By creating adaptable guidelines and practical action plans, they help the university navigate AI integration through a strong moral and spiritual lens.

Assessment and Grading

The Assessment and Grading working group explores how AI can be effectively and fairly utilized to evaluate student work. They are developing guidelines and piloting human-in-the-loop AI grading systems across different colleges to determine the best assessment types for these technologies. Additionally, the group is working to establish consistent syllabus language and ensure that AI-assisted feedback remains reliable and equitable across diverse student demographics.

Team Members

Curriculum Integration

The Curriculum Integration working group focuses on embedding AI literacy and skills into the university's general education and major-specific courses. They collaborate with instructional leaders to redesign first-year classes and collect practical examples of AI integration for a faculty resource library. Ultimately, the group aims to establish comprehensive learning objectives and specialized AI certificates across various academic disciplines.

Faculty and Staff Training

This group is dedicated to equipping the university's educators and staff with the pedagogical knowledge needed to confidently use AI tools. They focus on updating self-paced training resources, analyzing AI knowledge surveys, and maintaining an up-to-date AI Use Case Library for the campus. To ensure sustainable, localized support, they are also building a "department champion" model where specialized leaders guide AI adoption within their specific academic areas.

Future of Higher Education

The Future of Higher Education group evaluates the long-term, transformative impacts of artificial intelligence on the traditional university model. They advocate for institutional changes that support faculty as they adapt their teaching methods and transition from traditional lecturers to "architects of experience." Ultimately, this team aims to pioneer competency-based programs and personalized learning paths driven by AI innovations.

Team Members

University Systems
and Infrastructure

The University Systems and Infrastructure group manages the technical deployment and structural integration of AI tools, including student access to Google Gemini. They work closely with external partners to streamline data centralization in Workday, ensuring university data is accessible and prepared for automated workflows. Furthermore, they collaborate with instructional designers to provide the technical foundation and training needed for creating interactive educational simulations. Finally, they work with faculty and staff to craft a statement of AI ethics for the university.

Team Members

Administrative support for the AI Working Group is provided by Eliza Yost.

Want more information? Please write to eliza.yost@eastern.edu