Under Pressure: Infusing AI Studies into Undergraduate Education in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences

Thursday, January 22, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Treasury - Level M4

Primary Presenter(s)

Marcus Messner

Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Humanities and Social Sciences
Virginia Commonwealth University, United States

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Co-Presenter(s)

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James Fritz

Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
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Kamilia Rahmouni

Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
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Amy Rector

Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Sciences and Mathematics
Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
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Joshua Smith

Assistant Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, United States

With the rapidly growing proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications across professional fields, universities find themselves under immense pressure to advance AI studies and training for their students. This panel will provide strategies for supporting AI education across departments in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Participants will explore the launch of a new minor in AI studies in humanities and sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University that allows students to add AI education to their plans of study, whether their major is physics, philosophy, or English. Administrators and faculty came together to develop an interdisciplinary AI-focused curriculum with twenty-five courses that range from hands-on training in AI storytelling and health promotion to the study of AI governance and the impact on climate change. Session attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, engage with colleagues, and workshop a similar approach to infusing AI education into their institutions.