In this new cross-university collaboration, students explore when, and how, to use AI as a partner inside and outside of the classroom.
The Center for Design Thinking launched its “Designing for Ethical and Effective AI-Usage” workshop in collaboration with Elon’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative. The workshop focuses on the what, when and how of ethical and effective AI usage.
Through hands-on design thinking exercises, students gain transferable experience in using AI as a partner for better problem-solving. The workshop includes practical steps for effective prompt-building and demonstrates how AI can be applied within design thinking to address real-world challenges.
Director of Artificial Intelligence Integration Mustafa Akben reached out to the Center with the idea of creating a workshop that introduced students to using AI ethically and effectively. Student Director Anya Bratić spearheaded the development of this workshop, shaping its content and ensuring it framed AI as a tool to enhance human thinking.
“This workshop enhances students’ knowledge of what AI is and why it is a vital asset for their academic and career success,” Bratić said. “The workshop highlights AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human thinking, emphasizing the importance of using it ethically and efficiently in every aspect of its use.”
Bratić worked alongside Student Director Adam Kanowitz who structured the initial framework, and Publicity Lead Juan Daniel Chiriboga, who designed the activity modules.
Earlier this year, Elon University released a student guide on navigating college in the artificial intelligence era, offering insights on how humans and AI can collaborate effectively. Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book endorsed the guide as a resource for the Elon community, outside institutions and community members to use.
“AI won’t take your job. It’s someone using AI who will take your job,” said Richard Baldwin, a professor oat the International Institute for Management Development. This is why the Center is working with the greater campus community to change the narrative.
The workshop has been incredibly well received by faculty and students.
“The catalysts — Anya Bratić and Adam Kanowitz — did a wonderful job addressing key issues — such as the importance of using AI as a brainstorming partner rather than as a replacement for doing the work, the need for detailed prompting, and the process of challenging the output of AI tools. These are topics I’ll be talking about all semester as I teach my students how to use AI tools to create and implement brands,” said Michele Lashley, associate professor of strategic communications.
Center Director Danielle Lake is a scholar within design thinking, and her expertise was essential in providing insight and support for the project. Since the Center’s opening in 2016, Lake has trained hundreds of students to facilitate workshops that prompt a relational approach to problem-solving that helps uncover the underlying causes of challenges and provides creative, structured methods to address them.
“Danielle Lake is an amazing coach, mentor, and leader who trains, develops, and supports the Design Thinking catalysts,” Akben said. “As a thought partner, I love collaborating with her and the Design Thinking team. I fully support our partnership. Our AI Team will work with and support Design Thinking, and we’re looking forward to organizing more great workshops in the future.”
The AI workshop can be requested for individuals at and outside of Elon University, including for community members or organizations.