AI literacy is “a foundational conceptual understanding of AI,” focused on “knowledge, critical thinking, and ethical awareness” (Chiu et al., 2025). AI competency refers to the practical skills needed to use AI effectively and responsibly.
As AI reshapes higher education, the University of Oregon needs a clear and shared understanding of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students should develop. This is also an intergenerational effort: students, faculty, and staff bring different experiences and perspectives to AI, and all must be prepared to navigate technologies that will continue to evolve. Our goal is not simply to prepare students to use today's AI tools, but to cultivate the critical thinking and judgment needed to engage with AI thoughtfully and responsibly over time.
CAITs (Communities Accelerating the Impact of Teaching) are intensive year-long faculty cohorts that combine collaborative inquiry with ambitious projects designed to benefit the broader teaching community. Working in consultation with the Core Education Council, University Senate, UO Libraries, and other campus partners, this CAIT will:
- Recommend university-wide definitions and learning objectives for AI literacy and AI competency.
- Consult with the Core Education Council and University Senate on potential curricular requirements and expectations.
- Partner with UO Libraries and other support units to integrate AI literacy and competency into co-curricular learning opportunities, including IntroDUCKtion programming.
- Advise on the balance between shared institutional learning goals and discipline-specific applications of AI.
- Provide guidance on faculty development related to AI literacy and competency.
Membership is by invitation for about 10-12 faculty teaching about AI literacy and competency. Please let us know if you're developing a new course we might not know about. Includes a $1,000 stipend plus OPE. The group will convene in December and then meet about nine additional time cross winter and spring meet and present findings to the campus community June 7, 2027.
Ram Durairajan, Associate Professor of Computer & Data Science, faculty facilitator
Lee Rumbarger, Julie Mueller, TEP facilitators