How one student went from skeptic to schooled
A psychology major discovers how thoughtful guidance and hands‑on practice can make new technology feel useful, human and empowering.
As an Ohio State undergrad, I’ve been leery about using generative AI. I care about academic integrity, and I don’t want to take shortcuts. But during an internship with NASDAQ over the summer, I realized I needed to open my mind. My bosses at NASDAQ would say, “AI isn’t going to take your job, but someone who knows how to use it will.”
With that in mind, I was intrigued when I saw that the College of Engineering was offering a new course this past fall called “Unlocking Generative AI,” part of the university’s AI Fluency initiative. I’m a psychology major, but this elective was open to all. So I signed up, not really knowing what to expect.
Over the next few months, my teachers, Joreen Arigye and Terrance Campbell, led a small, varied group of students through a thoughtful examination of AI. We had fascinating discussions. We worked on group projects. We learned best practices. And we finished the semester by developing personal AI charters.
As I prepare to graduate in May, I now have a better understanding of AI, and I feel more confident using it. AI helps me stay organized, prioritize tasks and streamline my job search. But the class also taught me the limitations of AI and the importance of being human. Yes, the technology is great, but human input is what makes it so incredible. — As told to Dave Ghose
