As generative artificial intelligence reshapes higher education, much of the discourse centers on efficiency, automation, and oversight. This is often framed as “Human in the Loop.” While necessary, this framing risks reducing education to supervision rather than purpose. This presentation will show how the College of Education occupies a uniquely consequential role in the AI era by preparing the educators, instructional designers, and leaders who will shape how AI is used across K–12, higher education, and workforce learning environments. Grounded in research on educational psychology, human-centered pedagogy, and ethics (Mollick, 2024; Selwyn, 2019; OECD, 2021), the session aligns with the conference theme by centering human judgment, empathy, and moral reasoning as essential to teaching and learning. Using examples from teacher preparation, leadership, and online programs, the session highlights curriculum and assessment strategies that require meaningful human intervention. Interactive design activities will engage participants in reimagining education as an ethical anchor, ensuring AI-enhanced learning remains relational, reflective, and deeply human.

Presenters

• Freda Braddock freda.braddock@columbiasouthern.edu, Columbia Southern University