The Universities of Wisconsin and UW Credit Union announced a new free, short-form video series aimed at introducing adults to the basics of generative artificial intelligence, according to a UW System announcement.
The AI Skills Access Passport or ASAP initiative is designed for learners with a basic familiarity with AI who are curious about how the technology is shaping schools, universities, businesses and government agencies, according to the announcement.
The videos outline how AI works, when it may be useful and what risks users should consider, including accuracy, privacy and ethical concerns.
Generative AI is being integrated into classroom instruction, particularly through interactive applied exercises, UW Law School Associate Director of public services and teaching faculty Kris Turner said.
Turner said he uses AI-generated materials to create sample materials for students to evaluate and respond to, simulating how AI is already appearing in professional contexts.
Though the technology can be useful, faculty are particularly concerned that overuse permits students’ reliance on AI and weakens their ability to think independently, Turner said.
“There are a lot of people that are very cautious, rightfully so, with [AI] because it can be very wrong,” Turner said. “You concede agency when you just let it do the thinking for you.”
Thus, the goal is to balance exposure to AI tools with the development of foundational knowledge, UW Law School Associate Dean for library and information services Bonnie Shucha said.
Shucha said AI literacy is developing into an essential component of higher education, even if it is not formally taught in every course. Faculty are increasingly incorporating discussions about AI into coursework to ensure students graduate with a basic understanding of its capabilities and limitations, according to Shucha.
Expectations around AI use in educational settings should be clearly communicated, as uncertainty can lead students to either avoid the technology entirely or use it inappropriately, Shucha said. According to her, open discussion enables students to make more informed decisions.
Moreover, students who rely on AI without strong foundational knowledge may struggle to identify the technology’s errors, which can create academic and professional risks, Shucha said.
“If students start thinking AI is a dirty word, they’re gonna use it anyway, but they’re gonna hide it,” Shucha said. “I think it’s really important that faculty address AI and talk about its benefits, limitations and why you want to develop your own critical thinking and knowledge of a particular area first.”
The video series also emphasizes evaluating AI-generated information rather than accepting it at face value, as AI tools often present incorrect information confidently, according to Turner.
Shucha said students need strong verification skills as AI becomes more pervasive in academic and professional environments.
UW students have access to tools such as Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, which allow them to experiment with AI in relatively low-stakes environments, according to Turner.
This experience helps students better assess when AI is appropriate to use and prepares them to apply similar tools in the workplace, according to Turner.
“Associates that are losing their jobs are the ones that don’t know how to use AI efficiently,” Turner said. “If a student knows how to use [AI] on a foundational level, then they are going to get the job over the one that says ‘I’ve actually never used AI for anything’ or ‘I used it and didn’t like it.’”
Nonetheless, AI should be understood as a tool rather than a substitute for professional judgment or expertise, according to Turner.
The ASAP series also introduces broader questions regarding AI’s impact on society, including ethical implications across different fields, according to Shucha. Students benefit from considering these issues early in their education to prepare for future career decision-making, according to Shucha.
Since the genesis of ChatGPT, Shucha and Turner have been teaching about the increasing prevalence of AI, according to Turner.
“We’ve been trying to instill in people that this is not a passing fad, and that this is gonna be a new, powerful tool in the toolbox,” Turner said.
Ultimately, the goal of ASAP is to encourage more deliberate and informed use of AI as it becomes more integrated into daily life, according to Turner. The technology should be approached thoughtfully rather than dismissed or adopted without question, Turner said.
The most effective approach to AI is one that recognizes both its potential benefits and risks, rather than taking an extreme stance in either direction, according to Shucha.
“I think the true answer is somewhere in the middle,” Shucha said.
