AI in Education: Context, Motive, and Transparency
Recently I spoke at Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez about Artificial Intelligence. I wanted to do more than explain AI. I wanted to show it in action, so I built more than 80 percent of my presentation with AI tools. That included the slides, the images and the videos. I even created an AI-generated avatar of myself to give part of the presentation. Those choices were intentional. I wanted students and faculty to see what they can do today.
AI is more than a chatbot, It is a cognitive tool that helps people learn faster. At Western Governors University we believe AI accelerates education. It does not replace learning. That distinction is critical.
Students and teachers need to focus on three things when they use AI:
- Context. Be clear in what you ask. A vague prompt gives a vague answer. A small error in spelling produces the wrong response. You must give full and correct details so the tool responds with accuracy.
- Motive. Make sure you ask yourself why you are using AI. If you use it to write a paper for you, you miss the learning process. If you use it to check your answers, to get feedback, or to explain a concept, you strengthen your knowledge. The difference is intent. Always be honest about your goal.
- Transparency. In my talk I told the audience that most of my slides and videos were made with AI. Students should do the same. At WGU we ask them to share the prompts they wrote and the tools they used. That shows us the full process, not only the end result. Transparency builds trust and allows faculty to give better feedback.
AI Growth Explosion
The growth of AI usage worldwide is clear. Compare it to some of the world’s most famous tech brands. Netflix took three and a half years to reach one million users. WhatsApp took 11 months. Facebook took 10 months. TikTok took 9 months. ChatGPT did it in five days. Today more than 700 million people use it each week. Yet fewer than 3 percent use it to its full capacity. That gap is an opportunity for students who want an advantage.
How I Utilized AI Tools
ChatGPT for the outline, sample questions, essay review with multiple perspectives, and explanations.
Microsoft Copilot for PowerPoint slides, video resizing, quiz generation from syllabi, and grading feedback.
Google Gemini for images, diagrams, and labeled illustrations.
HeyGen for multilingual videos and gesture-based video introductions.
WGU’s pre-checker system to validate student essays against rubrics and check for AI-generated text.
These examples were not theory. They were live demonstrations. Each tool showed how AI can serve students and faculty today.
AI is your Research Assistant, Not Your Ghost Writer
AI can support you in many practical ways. You can generate practice quizzes from your syllabus and chapters. You can ask for explanations at different levels of detail and reading ability. You can request images or diagrams for concepts in chemistry, biology, or physics. You can receive feedback on your writing before you submit it to your instructor. You can translate explanations into other languages if that helps you learn.
AI Helps Teachers To Teach
Faculty can also apply AI in their teaching. They can create multiple choice and short answer questions from lesson transcripts. They can design four-week instructional plans with objectives, activities, and resources. They can write short scripts for instructional videos in minutes. They can translate materials into multiple languages to reach more students.
Look, AI is here. You need to decide how you will use it. Use it to learn better. Use it to prepare for class. Use it to build confidence. Do not use it to avoid work. Do not use it to mislead your instructors.
In the future, AI will not take your job. People who know how to use AI with effectiveness and honesty will. That is the reality. Students who know how to apply AI responsibly will stand out. Teachers who adopt it thoughtfully will connect with their students more effectively.
