Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education by providing valuable tools for both students and educators. For students, AI-driven platforms support tutoring, idea generation, and refinement, while faculty utilize AI to design assignments, class activities, and course preparation. Developing AI literacy is critical to maximizing its potential, requiring students and educators to view AI as a tool rather than a solution. Effective use depends on thoughtful prompt engineering, similar to natural language coding, by enhancing output quality through iteration and refinement.

AI was incorporated into two undergraduate courses, in addition to idea generation and tutoring. One was a humanitarian assistance class, and the other was a technical writing class. The writing class analyzes debated science issues throughout the semester, while the humanitarian class simulates negotiations. Each requires repeated, guided exposure to AI tools that foster critical thinking and practical skills.

Experiential learning underscores the importance of reflecting on and applying experiences in future tasks. In the writing class, students crafted and refined AI prompts based on audience feedback and their critical assessment of AI-generated outputs for accuracy and quality. Students recognized that effective use demands time, deeper understanding, and higher-order question-asking abilities. The negotiation activities enhance engagement in complex experiential learning scenarios. Students simulate real-world negotiations using AI, replacing live participants and overcoming logistical challenges like scheduling conflicts and class size. Through simulations, students practice prompt engineering, develop negotiation strategies, and reflect on their outputs, gaining practical AI literacy while addressing nuanced, real-world issues. Both activities have been successfully implemented in college classrooms and have received positive student feedback.

These applications demonstrate AI's transformative potential in education. They enable students to refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills. By thoughtfully integrating AI, educators can prepare students to navigate and leverage this technology effectively in their academic and professional futures.