Campus Connection

UWL students, faculty explore the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence

The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries from healthcare to finance, creating a rising demand for a workforce capable of creatively integrating and critically assessing AI technologies. 

Some experts predict AI’s rise will spark a renaissance in the humanities, shifting the workforce focus from tasks machines can handle to deeper questions about what should be created — questions that require skills like creativity, empathy and critical thinking. As David Brooks writes in The New York Times, “AI will force us humans to double down on those talents and skills that only humans possess.” 

UWL’s College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH) is at the forefront of preparing students for this evolving workforce landscape. Karl Kunkel, dean of CASSH, emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into liberal arts programs. In line with this goal, the college recently launched a small grants program aimed at helping faculty incorporate AI into teaching and learning. During the 2024-2025 academic year, CASSH funded 15 innovative projects, totaling $62,200. 

“Developing career-readiness for students is a central focus for CASSH programs,” says Kunkel. “As AI becomes more pervasive, employers are increasingly seeking graduates who are not only familiar with AI but can also use it effectively and ethically.”

Nate Mohlman, assistant professor of theatre, and his colleagues, Dylan Curvin and David Harlan, have received a small grant to develop two AI-assisted robots designed to assist with stage production. These wireless robots would be equipped with precise location technology, allowing them to move scenery and make real-time adjustments. The use of robots in this capacity simplifies complex scene transitions, offering a more accessible solution for productions without requiring extensive automation expertise.

UWL theatre students will play an integral role in researching and testing the robots during productions. The project aims to enhance and expand affordable, open-source automation systems for theatres. The findings from this initiative will be shared at academic conferences, with the hope of inspiring other institutions to explore the potential of AI in stagecraft and advancing the future of theatre education and automation. 

Kimberly Morris, associate professor of Spanish and world language education at UWL, received a small grant to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on second language acquisition in an advanced Spanish course. By integrating AI-driven applications such as natural language processing tools, chatbot conversation partners, and automated feedback systems, this project offers students a cutting-edge personalized learning experience that enhances both their digital literacy and language proficiency.  

Morris has been invited to publish her research on students’ experiences with AI in language learning in the CALICO Journal’s upcoming special issue on AI. The project also holds broader potential for curricular innovation at UWL, providing contemporary strategies to enhance language teaching and learning through AI technology. 

Even outside of the small grants program, faculty are innovating and evolving course offerings to keep pace with the evolving needs of AI.  

Philosophers have been thinking about and studying AI since the first half of the 20th century, and UWL’s Philosophy Department saw that as an opportunity to create a new undergraduate certificate offering.  

Navigating the AI ethics frontier in philosophy

Philosophy, given its history and the relationship to the development of AI, is uniquely positioned to address the ethical issues related to emerging AI technology, says Stewart Eskew, assistant teaching professor of philosophy. 

Eskew is the coordinator of a new Artificial Intelligence Ethics Certificate, housed within the Philosophy Department, which launched at the start of the 2025 spring semester. The 12-credit program is designed to equip students with the philosophical and analytical tools needed to address the ethical complexities of AI technology while fostering critical thinking skills. Graduates are prepared to champion responsible innovation and contribute to the development of thoughtful policies in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

“We saw a clear need for this in the broader culture and society,” explains Eskew. 

The certificate is designed to complement any major or career interest. And it offers flexibility with an expanding list of non-philosophy electives, such as professional writing, to help students tailor the program to their personal and professional goals. 

The curriculum explores how AI intersects with key philosophical areas such as meta-ethics, epistemology and the philosophy of mind. Through these courses, students will deepen their understanding of how AI challenges traditional concepts of cognition, agency, justice and moral responsibility.   

“The certificate will allow students to engage with these longstanding philosophical questions in the context of contemporary AI technologies,” says Sam Cocks, professor of philosophy. 

Core courses and philosophical electives will be offered annually, making it easy for students to integrate the certificate into their broader academic goals. The program is an ideal complement to majors in fields such as computer science, business, healthcare and communication. As employers across STEM industries increasingly seek graduates with strong ethical reasoning and systems thinking — especially for roles that involve AI applications — this certificate will provide students with the non-technical skills necessary to excel.   

Beyond its professional benefits, Cocks emphasizes the personal significance of the program.  

“This field offers a unique opportunity to explore how AI shapes society, affecting everything from workplace practices to individual lives,” he says. “Students will engage with the evolving challenges at the intersection of business development and societal change, empowering them to lead responsibly in an AI-driven world.”