BOISE, Idaho — As the academic year kicks off, Boise State University is learning how to navigate using AI in the classroom – and many more faculty are now allowing it, said Jen Schneider, associate dean of the College of Innovation and Design.
BSU is allowing for students to use Chat GPT, Zoom Companion and Google Gemini for Education and Workspace, according to their website. However, it is still up to faculty on whether or not they want to use it in their classrooms.
“Many are open minded and just want more training and guidance,” Schneider said.
Schneider said AI has been helpful for students for simple things like brainstorming – and has been helpful for students across all majors.
‘We have folks in our theater department who are using it a lot because it's a super helpful tool for set design, for example,” Schnieder said.
Schneider said students just want clarity on whether they are allowed to use it or not. She also said BSU has been leading the charge nationwide on adapting AI practices to the classroom.
“Idaho's kind of a small state in terms of population, but it's been exciting to see the way Idaho universities are really getting out ahead of this,” Schneider said.