Teaching in Higher Ed Navigating AI’s Rapid Transformation in Higher Ed with C. Edward Watson
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Dec 23, 2025 C. Edward Watson, Vice President for Digital Innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, discusses the rapid transformation of AI in higher education. He highlights the shift from banning AI to integrating it into curricula and addresses concerns about academic integrity. Watson emphasizes the importance of balancing AI skills with traditional learning outcomes and shares his method of developing ideas before incorporating AI. He also predicts that institutions must adapt their curricula to meet the evolving demands of the workforce.
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From Discovery To Curriculum Imperative
- Early adoption moved from discovery to concern, then to curriculum integration as workplaces adopted AI.
- The conversation shifted from 'stop use' to 'teach appropriate, ethical AI skills' for students.
Design Courses Around Appropriate Use
- Reframe course design from 'forbid AI' to 'allow appropriate use and teach skills explicitly.'
- Build curricular spaces where students practice ethical, discipline-specific AI use.
Prioritize Academic Integrity In The Short Term
- Focus immediate faculty attention on academic integrity while planning broader curricular changes.
- Recognize that classroom-level integrity concerns remain the number-one priority for instructors.
