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George Mason University continues to lead the way in the world of AI education, thanks to a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to Aditya Johri, professor of Information Sciences and Technology, and Lawrence Cranberg, endowed research fellow at the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing. This $430,000 grant, which kicked off on October 1, positions George Mason at the forefront of AI education for undergraduates.
The project, “Developing Artificial Intelligence Literacy Among Undergraduate Engineering and Technology Students Through Case-Based Instruction,” is a three-year initiative under NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE). It aims to weave AI into the fabric of technology education, enhancing students' technical skills while fostering a deep understanding of the social and ethical implications of AI. Through engaging case studies, students will explore scenarios like automated hiring systems and facial recognition technologies, tackling critical issues such as AI's energy consumption and its impact on climate change.
Johri emphasizes the importance of this project, stating, "In the rapidly evolving world of AI, staying current with technology is crucial for students. But even more vital is understanding the societal impact of their work as technologists. Developing a socio-technical mindset that considers context and usage is key, and this project is designed to cultivate such holistic thinking."
Collaborating with Cory Brozina, associate professor at Youngstown State University, Johri will work alongside partners from universities across the nation, including Montgomery College, University of Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Texas A&M, Case Western, Virginia Tech, Rochester Institute of Technology, Ohio State, and Iowa State.
This grant will also fuel doctoral research in the Technocritical Research on AI, Learning, and Society Laboratory (trailsLAB), directed by Johri. At trailsLAB, students are breaking new ground by analyzing AI and GenAI guidelines from universities, examining social media discourse on AI ethics, and developing role-play case studies to enhance GenAI learning experiences.
Ashish Hingle, PhD, ‘25 from trailsLAB and now an assistant professor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, said, "Working on AI literacy and education projects was an incredible journey. Not only did I get to explore cutting-edge technologies, but I also learned how to leverage them to improve teaching and learning. These skills are invaluable as I prepare for my first teaching assignment. The ethical insights I gained at trailsLAB have inspired me to teach these topics to my students and use technology responsibly in my own classroom."