By Veronica Henderson, OAA Marketing and Communications Student Assistant
The AI Fluency initiative aims to prepare undergraduate students for life after graduation through integrating artificial intelligence into their curriculum, helping them become fluent in both their chosen major and AI. As part of the initiative, the university is offering an AI workshop to students through the First Year Success Series, a set of workshops designed to support first-year students in finding success during their transition into college life.
Michael Flierl, associate professor, student learning librarian and Office of Academic Affairs AI Faculty Fellow, is a facilitator and one of the developers of the workshop, along with Shereen Agrawal, executive director of the Center for Software Innovation.
Designed to give first-year students the opportunity to explore the functions of AI, the workshop also helps them consider how to incorporate AI into their academic experience at Ohio State.
“Our main goal for the workshop is to explain some of the fundamentals around AI and generative AI, and to give students multiple opportunities to explore using generative AI,” said Flierl. “Rather than just talking at them the whole time, they get a hands-on experience with different AI models like Gemini and Copilot to see what they can and can’t do and engage in discussion with each other about the complexities of AI.”
Flierl aims to equip students with the tools they need to navigate a technological landscape that will continue to grow and change throughout students’ academic careers and beyond.
“We want to give students meaningful, impactful learning experiences with AI that will shape the way they approach using AI for years to come,” Flierl explained. “Through the workshop, we really want to open the eyes of students to help them recognize the whole host of problems, challenges and opportunities generative AI presents. It’s less about the actual tactical skills, and more about widening student perspectives.”
Zoey Miller, a fourth-year health sciences student and student assistant with University Libraries, helped in creating the workshop and hopes that students who take it will be able to better utilize AI tools during their time at Ohio State.
“I hope students attending this workshop gain confidence in their AI knowledge and skills. I am optimistic that students who participate in this workshop will come out of it feeling significantly less intimidated by the AI resources here at Ohio State,” said Miller.
Alyssa Leano, a fourth-year animal science student and student assistant at the University Library, also helped create the workshop and believes that AI Fluency plays an important role in the student experience.
“Being fluent in AI is quickly becoming just as essential as being fluent in one’s academic endeavors,” said Leano. “Virtually every field is being influenced by AI in some way, some more than others; however, understanding how AI works and how to use it responsibly allows students to stay relevant, adaptable and innovative.”
Leano recognizes the significance the workshop plays in the broader goals of the AI Fluency initiative and encourages students to take the workshop.
“Students should take this workshop because it bridges the gap between curiosity and capability. Many students have heard of AI or even used it casually, but few truly understand its potential and limitations,” said Leano. “This workshop gives them a structured, hands-on opportunity to learn how to use AI safely, ethically and creatively. It’s a chance to gain skills that not only enhance their education at Ohio State but also give them a competitive edge in their future careers.”