AI with Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just a trend at Minnesota State Moorhead—it’s becoming a defining part of how Dragons prepare to lead in the world. Last spring, the university announced plans to launch the Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence. This move positions Moorhead as the strategic AI leader in the region, ensuring that future Dragons are equipped to navigate and leverage AI in their professions, regardless of their major or career path.

Jason Trainer, Moorhead’s vice president of enrollment management and strategic initiatives, made the announcement ahead of a spring workshop for faculty featuring AI expert and author José Antonio Bowen. Bowen presented a keynote address to campus on “Educating Humans to Thrive in an AI World.” It was the culmination of a year-long conversation centered on Bowen’s book, “Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning.”

A bold leap into AI

The impetus for this bold move into AI was discussions the university had with senior leaders across various industries, from education to healthcare to business, about what our graduates need to move into the future.

“Across every industry sector, AI was always part of that conversation,” Trainer says. “That expanded the conversations we were having on campus and led to the creation of the Institute.”

An anonymous donor has provided funding to establish the Institute, which a newly hired director will lead. Beyond the educational component, Minnesota State Moorhead strives to be a regional powerhouse in the AI space through thought leadership and collaborative partnerships.

“When industries or organizations get together to talk about AI, we want to make sure they invite us to the table,” Trainer says.

However, AI isn’t new at Moorhead. Since the earliest days of ChatGPT’s release, the faculty have been building a foundation of AI understanding. More than 36 AI-related workshops and trainings, regional AI presentations, and a two-year community of practice have brought together everyone from early adopters to thoughtful skeptics. It’s a cross-disciplinary approach that brings together a variety of voices.

The conversation is grounded in real teaching experience, says Karen Qualey, executive director of Library Services & Online Learning and the campus lead on AI initiatives.

Meet the fellows shaping what’s next

At the heart of this effort are five AI faculty fellows, representing all academic colleges, who are working to make AI more than a buzzword. They are Julia Poplin, School of Teaching and Learning; Joshua Johnson, Department of Psychology; Kazimir Gazdzik, History, Languages & Humanities Department; Andrew Chen, Computer Science & Information Systems Department; and Atif Osmani, Professional Management Department.

Pictured left to right: Atif Osmani, Joshua Johnson, Julia Poplin, Kazimir Gazdzik, Andrew Chen

“They were selected for their willingness to think with a futures mindset, asking how we get ready now for what our students will need next,” Qualey says. “These professors can help inspire and manage challenging conversations. They are laying the foundation through an instructional coaching model with a strategy to build a rich internal resource to make a great impact for our students and the community.

The AI conversation began in earnest with a discussion of Bowen’s book.

“The common book read was a great way to connect with people across campus who are interested in understanding AI and its real-world implications,” says Johnson. “AI is impacting all of our fields differently, so getting a chance to have open conversations with different faculty holds a lot of value.”

AI fellows work on applied projects, either utilizing AI for teaching or laying the groundwork for the future. For example, Osmani is integrating AI literacy into coursework, designing AI-centric lesson plans, and co-developing surveys to understand how our campus is engaging with AI. He says it’s exciting to see the work spark new conversations around campus.

It’s not just about learning to use AI tools, but also about knowing when to use them, how to use them ethically, and how to navigate them securely. Equipping our graduates with critical AI literacy is essential for creating the most sought-after and future-ready professionals in the region.

“This is a seismic shift, like the rise of the internet,” Poplin says. “We’d be foolish to think it’s not going to be a major factor. We must prepare students for what’s next because it is coming.”

Poplin integrates AI in what she teaches and how she teaches, encouraging students to use AI for ideation and analysis but not as a replacement for original thinking.

“AI has made me rethink how I teach,” Poplin says. “It’s pushed me to become a better professor, to step outside the box and prepare students for the workforce. It's not enough for faculty to be good at it. We have to prepare our students to be good at it.” 

Teaching smarter, transforming learning

Gazdzik is an assistant professor of social studies education and history. He initially viewed AI through a cautious lens—curious about its potential, yet aware of the ethical and pedagogical implications.

“But as AI tools like ChatGPT became more accessible, I began to experiment with them as instructional design partners, helping students generate inquiry-based questions, analyze historical texts, and reflect more deeply on course content,” he says.

Now, as an AI faculty fellow, he serves as a bridge between emerging AI technologies and pedagogical practice, mentoring students and faculty on how AI can enhance, rather than replace, critical thinking, creativity, and disciplinary rigor.

“AI presents an opportunity to reimagine the role of the educator as a designer of learning experiences. Faculty must be empowered to shape the use of AI in ways that support equity, creativity and deep learning,” Gazdzik says. “I’m proud to be part of a growing community that sees AI not as a threat to education but as a catalyst for thoughtful, human-centered innovation.”

Computer Science Professor Chen has had a lifelong fascination with artificial intelligence. He even taught an AI class shortly after starting at Moorhead. Beginning last summer, he started saying ‘yes’ to every AI conversation opportunity. Activities he's currently engaged in range from reworking the Minnesota State system’s AI guidance to conducting surveys on university constituents’ understanding of AI.

In his field, AI tools are already automating code generation, forcing a rethink of how Moorhead prepares students for an evolving workforce. That’s one reason the university is exploring a graduate program in artificial intelligence—to help students, employees and employers upskill for an AI-augmented job market.

“What's been most rewarding about this (AI faculty) opportunity is seeing how it’s bringing diverse parts of campus together. Faculty, administrators and staff across different departments, colleges, divisions and offices, are all working together,” Chen says. “The world is changing and I’m happy to be working with people willing to help our students change with it.”