Dean's Letter
While AI savvy is a very useful skill, the evolving labor market increasingly places high value on capabilities AI cannot replicate.
We’re at a critical moment for artificial intelligence, driven by rapid advances in generative
AI methods. Some may argue that the benefits (or perils) of AI are overstated. At the same time, AI is everywhere—and it’s reshaping how we live, work, and learn. As a dean and AI researcher, I am cautiously optimistic, but also feel a sense of urgency in this AI moment.
According to Inside Higher Ed, over 85 percent of college students report using generative AI for coursework. Half of those students report that it affects critical thinking, boosting productivity, but occasionally reducing thoughtfulness. The question isn’t whether our students will use AI; they already are. Used thoughtfully, ethically, and intentionally, AI can enhance—but not replace—learning. What kind of thinkers, innovators, and citizens do we want to cultivate in this new era?
Across Arts & Sciences, our faculty and students are employing AI methods in their work. On the first page of this magazine, you can read about Professor of Mathematics & Statistics Konstantinos Spiliopoulos’ research on AI efficiency and reliability. Later in this magazine, you can learn about how recent alumna Hallie Baker (CAS’25, GRS’25) used AI for research on stolen art, and her classmate Prianna Sharan (CAS’25) uses an AI-powered algorithm in her social media app, Popple.
While AI savvy is a very useful skill, the evolving labor market increasingly places high value on capabilities AI cannot replicate.
Our faculty are also offering AI-integrated courses. For instance, in Senior Lecturer Pary Fassihi’s writing courses, students compare their own writing with AI-edited versions to reflect upon their voice, clarity, and style. In Assistant Professor of Biology Ana Fiszbein’s molecular biology course, students use AI to invent “what-if” results and build the figures that would back them up. Master Lecturer Chris McVey teaches courses on AI philosophy and ethics and writes extensively on the pedagogical implications of generative AI.
In this rapidly changing world infused with AI, we aim to equip our students with the ability to pivot across careers, the ethical grounding to steward technology responsibly, and the ability to reimagine what’s possible. Their success will depend on collaboration, creativity, and the ability to lead with empathy—foundational qualities we seek to nurture for our students. While AI savvy is a very useful skill, the evolving labor market increasingly places high value on capabilities AI cannot replicate—for instance, critical thinking, imagination, emotional intelligence, and ethical reasoning.
Clearly, the humanities and social sciences are more relevant than ever. By cultivating adaptable thinkers, responsible innovators, and humble and compassionate citizens, we ensure that AI benefits humanity—even as it transforms our possibilities.
Stan Sclaroff
Dean of Arts & Sciences