Ohio universities increasingly push AI, but research finds students are skeptical - Springfield News-Sun

Some Ohio universities will require students to take courses using large language models this fall, and more universities will likely be incorporating LLMs like Claude or Gemini into their courses in the future.

University of Dayton freshmen, for example, will use LLMs in several required courses and again once they are promoted in their majors, according to the university. Ohio State University started an artificial intelligence initiative last fall. Wright State University doesn’t have a specific AI initiative, but a university spokeswoman said there are classes dedicated to large language models and some professors are incorporating them into their classes.

Ohio’s last budget, House Bill 96, requires university trustees to evaluate university curriculum, including civics and AI, by March 2027. The law says trustees “shall consider adjusting the general education curriculum” while conducting this evaluation.

But while employers and higher education institutions are embracing AI, a recent study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that students themselves are skeptical of these programs.

“There is a striking disconnect: Employers are increasingly asking graduates to be ready for AI, while a significant portion of students are asking whether AI deserves a place in their work at all,” Shawn VanDerziel, NACE president and chief executive officer, said.

The report found that increasingly, companies are assigning interns and new hires work using AI. However, NACE’s 2026 Student Survey found nearly one-third of graduating seniors believe having AI skills, such as asking effective questions/prompts or checking AI output, will be of little or no importance to their future career. Slightly more than half of respondents said they are not building AI skills for the future.

{h3 style=”text-align: left;”}UD promotes AI use in first year {/h3}

University of Dayton freshmen will be learning the basics of large language models this fall. The university said in April that students will be taking two classes in artificial intelligence their freshmen year, a second-year seminar course exploring how AI is changing research and writing and will continue to use it as they get into their major.

UD, a private school, is not directly affected by the state’s mandated review. The university said the state requirement that trustees review how AI is being taught did not factor into their decision to start requiring more students to use AI.

Lee Dixon, UD associate provost for academic affairs and learning initiatives, said engaging with AI tools is a way to prepare students for a rapidly changing world while holding to the university’s core values.

“We want our students to have broad foundational knowledge of the world, deep understanding of their field of study, and critical thinking and ethical reasoning capabilities,” Dixon said. “Our goal is for our students to use technology responsibly and creatively in ways that uphold human dignity and equity. Students will develop curiosity and critical judgment as they design and communicate about technology-enabled solutions for professional, community and social justice needs.”

{h3 style=”text-align: left;”}Wright State and AI {/h3}

Wright State has no dedicated initiatives for first-years in the same way that Ohio State University or UD have, but the university is still incorporating its use into courses, including teaching AI to rural people.

There are no currently proposed changes to required coursework as it relates to AI, said Deena John, a spokeswoman for Wright State University.

“In addition to existing classes dedicated to artificial intelligence, faculty members have been integrating AI tools into their teaching,” John said. “As we review and modernize our general education curriculum, we will be seeking opportunities to integrate AI literacy throughout the student experience.”

Wright State professors have been using AI in the classroom for several years and the university has a policy on acceptable AI use.

“Our goal is for every Wright State graduate—regardless of major—to understand how to use artificial intelligence effectively, ethically, and critically,” John said. “Students will learn not only how to leverage AI to enhance learning and productivity, but also how to evaluate its limitations, recognize its risks, and apply it responsibly in their professions and communities.”

{h3 style=”text-align: left;”}Miami University {/h3}

Miami University won’t be requiring students take AI classes this fall, but the university is working on a project, “AI in the Majors,” to include AI-related learning objectives in majors, said Wietse de Boer, interim associate provost for undergraduate education.

de Boer said there is extensive guidance on how faculty and students should be using AI in their classrooms.

{h3 style=”text-align: left;”}OSU AI Fluency {/h3}

Ohio State University students will also be using AI in the classroom this fall.

A spokesman for the university said in autumn 2025, all undergraduates were introduced to generative AI basics in the required General Education Launch Seminar. Chris Booker, university spokesman, said each college with an undergraduate program has made a “discipline-specific plan on how AI education is embedded into the degree pathway in a way that is relevant to the field of study.”

The university plans to have everyone in the class of 2029 graduate “AI-fluent.”

“AI Fluency means students graduate with deep expertise in their field and the ability to apply AI thoughtfully, responsibly and innovatively within it,” Booker said. “AI Fluency ensures solid foundations in AI and goes further to include critical thinking, ethical reasoning and creative problem-solving with AI.”