Generative AI

In Spring 2024, the Provost’s Office convened a working group of faculty and staff to develop guidance around the use of generative AI in teaching and learning. The group met several times throughout spring and summer semesters. The following information reflects the working group’s perspective on generative AI and does not represent the official position of Butler University on this topic.

Generative AI is part of contemporary work, academia, and culture. While it has the potential to greatly enhance productivity, learning, and creativity, it is crucial to understand its limitations and the ethical implications of its use. As we use generative AI, we must keep in mind the developers and the for-profit nature of the tools. We must raise awareness of and advocate against injustices, inaccuracies, biases, and potential misuse of this technology. 

In an academic setting, it is important to teach students, staff, and faculty how to use generative AI ethically and effectively. There are many unknowns about generative AI and its effect on thinking, creativity, and other uniquely human skills. Students, faculty, and staff at Butler should know the ways in which their field is using generative AI, and they should know enough about the technology to make an informed decision as to whether they choose to use it or not. We should integrate generative AI into the curriculum where appropriate, emphasizing its benefits, fostering critical thinking about its applications, and considering drawbacks. Such drawbacks include environmental impact, intellectual property violations, copyright concerns, job displacement, and the disruption of traditional teaching roles. By balancing optimism and hearty skepticism, we can prepare the Butler community to use this technology ethically, effectively, and innovatively in their academic and professional lives. 

The research and best practices around generative AI will continue to develop. We recognize that the information gathered here represents information at a specific moment in time and is part of an iterative process and ongoing conversations. We believe that diverse perspectives sharpen our collective understanding, and we welcome feedback on the work collected here. 

Faculty Framework for GAI

Developed in the summer of 2024, the Framework outlines a roadmap for faculty using GAI in teaching and learning.

GAI Faculty Framework

AI Ready: All Campus Essentials

This year, Butler University is participating in a program hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) designed to foster learning, share resources, and increase effective adoption related to artificial intelligence (AI). This program equips faculty, staff, and administrators with a foundational understanding of generative A.I. as it relates to rotating topics relevant to our campuses.

Learn more & register

GAI Lesson Plans from PALNI Faculty

Over the course of the 2023-24 academic year, faculty from several institutions, including Butler University, in the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) contributed to an open repository of peer-reviewed generative AI class activities. Launch the repository to search for ideas on how to use AI in your discipline or adapt any of the ideas to fit your context.

Launch the GAI class activities collection

GAI Workgroup

Acknowledgement and gratitude are given to the numerous players involved in the broader Butler University’s GAI Workgroup. 

Alexander Carter
Assistant Professor
College of Communication
Headshot of Jennifer Coronado
Jennifer Coronado
Head of Resource & Systems Strategies
Butler Libraries
Jennifer is an Associate Professor and the Head of Resource & System Strategies at Butler University Libraries. She provides leadership in all aspects of library technical services, physical and electronic collection management, and ensures the…
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Alexandre Erkine
Professor – Pharmaceutical Sciences
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Personal Webpagehttps://research.butler.edu/alex-erkine-labEducationBS/MS – Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaPh.D. in Biochemistry– Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaD.Sc. in Molecular Biology…
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Headshot of Megan Grady
Megan Grady
Associate Director Academic Partnerships
Online Education and Educational Technology
Biography As the Associate Director of Academic Partnerships for Online Education and Educational Technology, Megan oversees the advancement of academic partnerships aimed at creating digitally enhanced for-credit programs, the strategic utilization of…
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Wade Javorsky
Chief Information Security Officer
Information Technology
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Chad Miller
Lecturer in Applied Business Technology
Entrepreneurship & ABT
Chad has been in IT since he was 13, teaching his first class to eight- and nine-year-old’s BASIC on Timex Sinclair Z80 computers. All the way through his undergraduate Integrated Science (ISP) and Mathematics double major at Northwestern, he worked with…
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Chloe Moushey
Lecturer & Program Director for Online Counseling Programs
College of Education
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Steve Nyktas
Professor of Art and Department Chair
Art + Design – JCA
Steve Nyktas is an Associate Professor of Art at Butler University and an Indianapolis-based artist . He earned his MFA from Northwestern University, an MA from Purdue University, and his BFA from Albion College. His work has been exhibited nationally…
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Ashlee Tietje
Lecturer Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences – LAS
Dr. Ashlee Tietje earned her BS in Biology Education for Southern Wesleyan University. She then went on to teach science at the high school level for four years before returning to school to pursue a PhD. In 2015, she earned her PhD at Clemson University…
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Kelly Van Busum
Assistant Professor
Computer Science and Software Engineering – LAS
Kelly Van Busum is Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Butler University.  She holds a B.A. with a double major in Computer Science and Education, an M.S. in Computer Science, an M.A. in Sociology, and a Ph.D. in…
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