Can Colleges Make All Their Students ‘AI Fluent’?

Ohio State University has committed to making all its students 'AI fluent' through a new initiative called 'AI Fluency,' announced last year. The program will hire 100 faculty members specializing in AI to develop curriculum that embeds the technology into undergraduate studies. Vince Castillo, an assistant professor and member of the initiative’s advisory committee, acknowledged that even faculty are still figuring out how to effectively teach AI, with departments struggling to define what 'AI fluency' means in their fields. The university’s push reflects broader concerns about AI’s impact on the workforce and education, as surveys indicate a majority of students believe learning AI is important despite reservations about its broader effects. Ohio State’s approach contrasts with other institutions: Purdue University recently mandated an 'AI working competency' for graduation, while the University of Virginia offers a voluntary 'AI Literacy and Action Lab' for students and faculty to explore real-world AI applications. Both models highlight the lack of a standardized approach, with universities experimenting without a clear playbook. Critics, like John Warner of *Inside Higher Ed*, argue that some requirements, such as Purdue’s, may be impractical or driven by 'AI FOMO'—fear of missing out on the technology’s perceived inevitability. Meanwhile, Leo Lo, dean of libraries at the University of Virginia, emphasized the need for innovation, noting that no institution has yet determined the best way to integrate AI into education. Ohio State’s Castillo stressed the urgency of acting quickly, given AI’s rapid evolution, though he acknowledged past technologies like computers and the internet have not fundamentally altered higher education’s core mission. The initiative raises broader questions about whether colleges should adapt curricula to emerging technologies or focus on timeless lessons. While AI’s potential to disrupt education is widely discussed, its long-term impact remains unclear. For now, universities are proceeding cautiously, testing different methods to prepare students for an uncertain technological future.