AI-powered educational experiences underway at ASU

An AI-generated patient on which to practice behavioral health techniques.

An on-demand study buddy to help with language learning.

An AI simulation that allows you to debate with some of the world’s most influential philosophers.

These are a few of the projects in development at Arizona State University that explore immersive ways for students to use generative artificial intelligence, and they're all supported through the university’s AI Innovation Challenge.

The challenge launched in February following the university's announcement of its collaboration with OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT.

“If you want to focus on the impact of technology, start by asking the community what they want to solve for,” said Lev Gonick, chief information officer at ASU.

Within the first two weeks, faculty and staff from 14 out of ASU's 17 colleges, as well as dozens of teams across departments, submitted proposals. And with the third round of the challenge now underway for the fall 2024 semester, more than 530 proposals have been submitted and 250 projects activated across academic, research and work environments.

“We see a future at ASU in which AI changes our relationship with knowledge, in a sense democratizing access so that students begin to be better problem-solvers, working more like researchers,” said Anne Jones, ASU vice provost for undergraduate education. “People are excited because they now have concrete examples to point to for use cases in which AI is improving their outcomes in the classroom.”

Below, we explore a handful of projects showcasing the diverse applications and potential impact of generative AI on the ASU academic experience.

Related: Arizona State University personalizes learning and advances research with ChatGPT via OpenAI

This summer, “Sam” — an AI-generated patient specifically designed for the health sciences — was introduced to graduate students in the course IBC 633: Motivational Interviewing for the Behavioral Care Provider.

Developed by Clinical Professor Colleen Cordes and her team at the College of Health Solutions, Sam simulates realistic patient-provider interactions, offering students a new pathway to practice and refine interviewing, a critical skill for behavioral care providers.

“Simulation is an important component of the course for students to practice their motivational interviewing skills,” said Cordes. “When generative AI came on the scene, we were immediately interested in what new pathways this technology could offer our students.”

Sam, a longtime smoker who wishes to quit but is struggling, engages students in simulated patient-provider discussions to apply the motivational interviewing techniques they’ve learned in the course.

The AI patient offers nearly unlimited conversation pathways and delivers immediate feedback, helping students to adjust their approach in real time. Sam enables students to practice motivational interviewing in a controlled environment, enhancing their confidence and competence before they interact with actual patients.

The summer course, offered through ASU Online, had 50 students enrolled. Most reported a positive experience working with Sam.

“Survey results from the students showcased 94% agreed or strongly agreed the chatbot felt human, and 89% said that the chatbot strengthened their learning experience,” Cordes said.

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can facilitate discussions that mimic real-world interactions, offering nearly infinite ways for conversations to unfold. These tools are ideal for faculty wanting to integrate role-playing in students' learning experiences. 

Debate is one form of conversation-based role-play, and in spring 2024, instructor David McElhoes saw an opportunity to incorporate generative AI in such a way.

In McElhoes’ Introduction to the Philosophy of Science course, offered by the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, students completed three assignments using ChatGPT. Students took on the role of a famous philosopher and would debate an AI-generated persona. This interactive approach allowed them to explore complex philosophical ideas dynamically.

The AI's real-time, contextually accurate responses helped students refine their arguments and deepen their understanding of philosophical concepts while honing their critical thinking and debate skills.

McElhoes also integrated generative AI tools into his coursework to prepare students for a future workforce that is increasingly reliant on AI. 

“Experience with AI is going to be necessary — if it isn’t already — in the workforce,” said McElhoes. “If you don’t have those skills, you’re going to be at a disadvantage.”

Using generative AI results in many more pathways for discussion — where a single word change can alter the outcome, similar to real life. This opens up nearly endless possibilities to practice learning a new language. 

This summer, German 101 students in Christiane Reves’ ASU Online course gained access to an optional resource — Language Buddy, an AI-powered custom GPT — to practice their language skills asynchronously.

“The more opportunities you have to communicate in a foreign language, the more you advance and have fun with it,” explained Reves, an assistant teaching professor in ASU’s School of International Letters and Cultures.

Language Buddy offers prompts focused on course-related topics; students select a prompt and use voice mode for a back-and-forth discussion with the generative AI. The tool, which Reves has been working on since spring, allows students to engage in speaking assignments, self-practice or replace peer meetings, offering flexibility for those balancing work and family commitments.

Jackson Wood, an ASU Online student from Washington state, was enrolled in Reves’ summer class. 

“Being able to have Language Buddy when I couldn't meet with other students was really beneficial,” Wood said. “It provided context and the ability to speak with somebody in a way that might be like a native speaker or at least someone on my same skill level.”

Although only 30% of students used Language Buddy this summer, 88% expressed interest in trying it for future assignments. Positive feedback included its adjustable speed and difficulty levels and understanding imperfect responses.

While much of the rhetoric around generative AI is that it isn't going to replace writing, ASU is actively exploring its use to support the writing process.

Department of English Assistant Professor Jacob Greene was an early pioneer. Graduate students in his Writing for Scholarly Publication course in spring 2024 used the AI tool at various stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to engaging in reflective writing to refining drafts.

The course focuses on developing academic arguments, which are broken down into four components: argument, exigence, evidence and stakes. First-year doctoral student Kylie Frontczak found ChatGPT helpful in refining her argument by using it to create a feedback loop and better articulate her writing.

These applications help students produce higher-quality work and teach them valuable writing skills that are essential for their academic and professional careers. The tool serves as a collaborator, offering suggestions for content and areas to explore. 

Additional tools being made available to the community for this fall to help enhance creativity, communication and productivity include the introduction of Adobe Express — which has promising use cases already in action.

Crystal Alvarez, an instructor at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is integrating Adobe Firefly’s generative AI image tool into her digital audience development courses. Students create detailed personas for marketing campaigns using Firefly to generate precise visual representations that reflect their personas' traits. 

“Now, they can create a visually compelling representation of their persona that captures the personalities, lifestyles and aspirations of those marketing targets," Alvarez said.

ASU is continuing to explore the possibilities of AI-enhanced education; the call for proposals for the AI Innovation Challenge is underway for fall, with projects expected to kick off in September.

The university’s adoption of AI tools represents a significant step forward in educational technology, enhancing research and learning experiences while preparing students for a future in which AI will play a crucial role. By integrating generative AI, ASU is paving the way for more personalized and impactful education.

“We have long dreamt about individualized, personalized learning without constraints,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “No more preconceived notion of who’s smart and who’s not smart. AI systems allow that individual to pursue learning in a way in which they can have learning outcomes that they desire. We’re going to see tremendous enhancement in these individuals.”