New Center for AI and the Liberal Arts informs students on ethical and practical usage

by SOPHIA LAGRAIZE

Staff Writer

This fall, the University of Mary Washington launched the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts. According to UMW’s website, the Center intends to help students navigate the world as artificial intelligence use becomes increasingly common in academic and professional settings. Pioneered by the inaugural Director and Professor of Communication and Digital Studies, Anand Rao, the Center hosts several interdisciplinary course offerings and public events aimed at advancing understanding of AI tools and their broader impact.

“We all need to be informed about the costs, challenges, as well as opportunities, associated with the development and use of AI,” said Rao.

There have been two classes offered as part of the Center’s programming thus far: “AI in Society” and “Argumentation as an AI.” During the summer semester, a flagship class was offered online ahead of the Center’s official launch. 

“The reason why the university thought it was important to develop a center like this is that we recognize that AI is disruptive, it is increasing its influence, it’s becoming ubiquitous in terms of certainly digital use and online platforms, but also throughout society,” said Rao.

He continued, “It’s also a recognition that the reality is, you all will be graduating into a world where you are expected to understand how to use AI, when not to use AI, most importantly, how to consider AI applications in a responsible use.”

In addition to the course offerings provided to UMW students, the Center will host a series of public events that allow the greater community to engage with scholarly material on topics associated with AI. 

The Center’s first event, titled “Public Debate on AI and the Environment,” was held on Sept. 16 in the Hurley Convergence Center’s Digital Auditorium. Assistant Professor of Communication and Digital Studies Kaitlyn Haynal and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry Michael Reno debated whether continued AI usage would have a net positive or net negative impact on the environment. 

“This, of course, includes a number of controversial topics,” Rao said at the start of the debate. “There are a lot of AI tools that I like to use, but I also want to make sure that we’re reflective about that use, and so some of the events that we’ll be hosting will give us a chance to reflect on that use and talk about some related issues.”

Later in the semester, on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., Alan Coverstone, an adjunct instructor for the Department of Communication and Digital Studies, will present a guest lecture in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. Finally, a “Public Debate on AI and Copyright” will take place on Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. in the Weatherly Wing of Secobeck Hall.

Meridith Colburn, a junior historic preservation major who took the “AI in Society” class over the summer, said she was initially drawn to take the course because of her interest in learning about AI usage in the workplace. 

“I looked at something that was an AI that archives emails, text messages, online communications, and AI was used to archive that for businesses and compliance to policies and whatnot, which is a more practical use for AI in the real world that are being used currently,” she said. 

Senior communication and digital studies major Samantha Allison, who’s currently taking “AI in Society,” recognizes that AI is becoming increasingly central to daily life regardless of students’ personal feelings on the topic.  

“AI is gonna become part of our life either way, like, if we like AI and if we don’t it’s going to affect all of us in some sort of way,” she said. 

Rao said his goal is not to make anyone more for or against generative AI; instead, he wants to ensure that students are properly prepared for the potential impact the technology may have on the future. 

“It is up to the individual to decide how they will use it, but they need to make informed decisions,” he said.

Students agree that learning to use AI in an ethical and secure manner is important. 

“It makes sense that professors would need some help in recognizing it for like, security, Honor Code reasons,” said Genevie Benton, a junior biology major.

Rao is hopeful that the Center will benefit everyone on all sides of the AI debate and help students gain some perspective on AI and its uses. 

“The liberal arts education that UMW provides is invaluable in providing our students with the skills to take the lead on these important issues, and this new Center will help support these efforts when it comes to AI and the Liberal Arts,” he said.

Callie Harkins contributed to reporting for this article.