Cornell College AI Policy

We have offered guidance to students in terms of how we think that they should use, and not use, AI (in their academic pursuits).

AI provides both an opportunity and a challenge. We want to encourage students to explore and use AI to their advantage and to become fluent in its use, while at the same time, continue their pursuit of knowledge and critical thinking, which takes mental effort and will distinguish them from others in their futures.

We want to encourage students to explore and use AI to their advantage and to become fluent in its use, while at the same time, continue their pursuit of knowledge and critical thinking, which takes mental effort and will distinguish them from others in their futures.

Knowing that AI is rapidly being incorporated into everything naturally leads me to believe that we must ensure that ALL students graduate with marketable AI skills—not a few students ... but all students. AI literacy needs to be a graduation requirement much as other outcomes are, such as critical reasoning/thinking and effective communication skills.

To date, on campus, faculty and staff have begun to explore AI’s potential to improve everything that we do at Cornell, from teaching and learning, to supporting students, to improving our processes.

We have experimented with AI in the classroom, for example, to generate new ideas worthy of analysis or to improve lesson plans.

As a result, we are actively exploring adding an AI chatbot to our website as a support tool for students, faculty and staff.

We have consulted with experts at other institutions to better understand AI’s uses and potential.

Ultimately, we need an institutional strategy for AI integration, and that is where we are headed. We need to set our direction as an AI-forward institution that will not only transform the Cornell experience but will also promote our role as innovators for students and their families, thus supporting student retention and recruitment.

Knowing that AI is rapidly being incorporated into everything naturally leads me to believe that we must ensure that ALL students graduate with marketable AI skills—not a few students ... but all students. AI literacy needs to be a graduation requirement much as other outcomes are, such as critical reasoning/thinking and effective communication skills.