AI in the Classroom: Penn State's vision for the future of learning

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – ChatGPT has brought generative artificial intelligence (AI) into the spotlight, especially in education. While it offers new learning opportunities, there are concerns about academic integrity, given AI's potential to generate biased or inaccurate content.

Houman Harouni, a Harvard Graduate School of Education lecturer, believes engaging with AI is essential for higher-education students, despite its challenges.

At Penn State, the integration of AI is advancing rapidly, led by Mehrad Mahdavi, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science.

Mahdavi’s interest in AI began during his master's studies, where he was drawn to machine learning for its blend of theoretical rigor and real-world applications.

"I was fascinated by machine learning because it merges exciting applications with strong mathematical principles," Mahdavi said.

"It’s the ideal mix of theory and practice."

This passion has fueled Mahdavi’s career, especially his AI research and machine learning algorithms.

One of Mahdavi’s major initiatives is the development of two new AI-focused degree programs, that are set to launch by fall 2025 at Penn State University.

The degrees – Artificial Intelligence Engineering (AIE) in the College of Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications in the College of IST.

They’re designed to equip students with the technical expertise and hands-on experience to navigate healthcare, finance, and business analytics.

"We want to create programs that balance theoretical knowledge with practical skills, reflecting the increasing importance of AI across various sectors," Mahdavi said.

Mahdavi also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for AI Foundations and Engineering (CAFE), part of Penn State’s AI Hub.

CAFE fosters collaboration between academia and industry, enabling companies to leverage AI expertise for advanced research.

"Many companies don’t have the resources to build their own AI teams, but at Penn State, we have the infrastructure and expertise to support their research," Mahdavi said.

Penn State's AI research ecosystem stands out for its interdisciplinary approach bringing together experts from fields such as material sciences, life sciences, and social sciences, enabling AI research with broad industry applications.

AI is reshaping education by offering personalized learning experiences, automated grading, and AI-driven teaching assistants.

Mahdavi envisions a future where AI adapts to each student’s learning pace, offering continuous feedback, custom lesson plans, and tailored quizzes.

"AI could transform the classroom by providing 24/7 tutoring, adapting lessons to individual strengths and weaknesses, and even generating assignments that suit different learning styles," Mahdavi said.

These developments are already taking place at Penn State. The university offers courses like "Generative AI for Everyone," aimed to expose students from all disciplines – not just computer science – to AI’s applications in fields like art, business, and science and are available for all enrolled students to take.

"AI isn’t just for computer scientists anymore. It’s impacting industries like healthcare, marketing, and law, and students need to understand how to work with it in any field," he said.

AI assists faculty by alleviating administrative tasks such as grading and content creation. Mahdavi shared that AI tools can help design lecture slides, generate quizzes, and provide real-time feedback on assignments, allowing educators to focus on fostering critical thinking and creativity in their students.

“AI can take over repetitive tasks, giving teachers more time to engage with students and encourage deeper learning,” he said.

Despite the benefits, Mahdavi stresses the importance of ethical considerations in AI education.

Bias, misinformation, and privacy concerns are real challenges, and Penn State is committed to integrating ethics into its AI curriculum. In courses like "Generative AI for Everyone," students are taught how to use AI tools and navigate the ethical implications.

"It's essential for students to understand AI's risks, such as data privacy issues and the biases inherent in large datasets," Mahdavi said.

While AI can enhance education, Mahdavi cautions against over-reliance on it. He warns that if students use AI solely for quick answers without critical thinking, it could hinder their intellectual development.

He believes assignments should challenge students to use AI thoughtfully and creatively, rather than relying on it as a shortcut. For example, some professors have asked students to teach AI systems how to solve problems, encouraging a deeper understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.

“AI can provide answers, but it’s up to students to question and understand those answers,” Mahdavi said.

Looking ahead, Mahdavi is optimistic about AI’s potential to transform education and the workforce. He believes that students who are comfortable using AI will have a significant advantage in fields, from healthcare to marketing.

“AI is reshaping nearly every sector. Students need to know how to work with AI—not just technically, but also how to understand its societal impact,” he said.

AI is already being used in healthcare for tasks like detecting cancer and predicting patient outcomes, and in business for automating data analysis and improving marketing strategies.

“The key is to use AI as a tool for learning, not just as a shortcut,” he said.

As AI continues to shape academia, Mahdavi is confident it will revolutionize education, research, and the economy.

With Penn State’s AI Hub and new degree programs, the university is positioning itself as a leader in AI education, ready to prepare students for the demands of an AI-driven future.

In the coming years, Penn State students will learn about cutting-edge AI technologies and gain the skills necessary to thrive in a world where AI is increasingly integrated into everyday life.

Emily Lin is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email eml6121@psu.edu.