CSU Faculty Integrate AI in Creative Majors and Curriculum Design
Across the California State University system, 63 faculty-led projects are exploring the use of generative AI in education. These initiatives range from single-course pilots to complete program redesigns, all funded by CSU’s first AI Educational Innovations Challenge with a budget of $3 million. The goal is to transform AI from a disruptive force into a practical teaching tool that fosters creativity and critical thinking.
Faculty are experimenting in diverse areas, including musical theater production and general education reform. More than 400 proposals were submitted, highlighting the urgency and widespread interest in integrating AI into higher education.
Addressing AI’s Presence in Classrooms
Elisa Sobo, an anthropology professor at San Diego State University (SDSU), emphasizes that AI is already present in classrooms whether instructors acknowledge it or not. She warns that allowing students to use AI without guidance is irresponsible. Instead, educators should actively incorporate AI tools into their teaching to ensure students use them thoughtfully and ethically.
Creating a Musical with Generative AI
Jamie Johns, a theater instructor at CSU Stanislaus, is leading a course where students co-create a musical using AI tools. His class is open to all majors but focuses on theater students experimenting with large language models, AI music, and voice generators. The course encourages students to openly share how they use AI and reflect on ethical issues like authorship, copyright, and bias.
Instead of working independently at home, students collaborate in real time on a custom platform that allows live conversations alongside AI interactions. This approach fosters transparency and deeper engagement with AI as a creative partner.
By semester’s end, the class aims to produce a staged one-act musical complete with a musical score and demo videos. These materials could then serve as resources for other campuses interested in blending AI with creative disciplines.
Building a Program-Level AI Curriculum Framework
At SDSU, Elisa Sobo is also leading the development of the AI-Ready Curriculum Overhaul and Redesign (ACORN) toolkit. This framework targets the systematic integration of AI literacy across entire degree programs, rather than isolated courses.
The ACORN project addresses the risk of uneven coverage in AI education—some courses might repeat the same lessons while others miss critical topics. The toolkit aims to create a logical sequence of AI-related skills throughout a program, ensuring students build foundational knowledge before applying AI tools.
A diverse faculty task force, supported by student assistants, will design and test the toolkit in the upcoming academic year. This structured approach promises a more coherent and comprehensive AI learning experience.
Funding and Faster Adaptation in Higher Education
The CSU AI Educational Innovations Challenge provided both the financial support and motivation for instructors like Johns and Sobo to develop AI-focused curricula. The rapid timeline—from proposal submissions in April to funding announcements in July—reflects the need for higher education to adapt quickly to AI’s growing impact.
Sobo notes that the traditional multi-year cycle for curriculum changes is no longer practical. Instead, institutions must find ways to move swiftly and thoughtfully to keep pace with AI advancements.
What Creatives Can Take Away
- AI tools can be integrated into creative processes as collaborators, not just competitors.
- Transparency in AI use is key to understanding its benefits and ethical challenges.
- Curriculum design benefits from a coordinated approach that ensures students develop AI literacy progressively.
- Rapid adaptation and funding support are critical for keeping educational programs relevant in a changing landscape.
For creatives interested in expanding their AI skills, exploring targeted courses can provide practical knowledge on how to blend AI tools effectively with your craft. Consider checking out Complete AI Training’s courses for creative professionals to stay ahead in your field.
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