Why it matters:

As AI becomes standard in classrooms and workplaces, universities face a critical choice: equip students with tools, or teach them to think critically about when and how to use them. Utah State University Associate Professor Danjue Shang says both are essential.

The big picture:

AI adoption in higher education is accelerating. Students are using generative tools for research, writing, and problem-solving. But efficiency comes with a trade-off: the risk of outsourcing critical thinking to algorithms.

What they’re saying:

“I do believe that we, as people working in higher education, have the responsibility to take the, you know, this whole AI, movement seriously to think more about how to better prepare our students.” — Dr. Danjue Shang, Associate Professor, Utah State University

“And then when we are in the process of rolling out of the AI tools, I think raising that awareness should be part of that process as well. And there’s it’s just so easy to a slippery slope, so easy to you just always resort to AI because they are so effective and efficient. And in the process, like slowly use your own critical thinking. And I think that really should be part of the discussion when we, you know, encourage the AI movement.” — Dr. Danjue Shang

What to expect:

Shang is expanding AI content in her curriculum, but with guardrails. The goal is not just to introduce tools, but to help students understand their limitations and make informed decisions about when human judgment matters most.

The bottom line:

AI is powerful. But without critical thinking, it becomes a crutch. The future of higher education depends on teaching students to use AI responsibly, not just efficiently.