The California State University system announced an AI education initiative across all 23 campuses, giving students, faculty, and staff access to advanced artificial intelligence tools at no cost. The announcement has raised concerns for students about the future of their education.
The initiative was announced at the CSU’s Board of Trustees meeting. The CSU system will be the first public university system in the country to implement AI at this scale. This program is backed by big tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, along with the support of Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Alondra Castro, a third-year psychology major expressed mixed feelings about the email announcement.
“The email sounds interesting but I’m a little confused on how it will improve students’ education? I get it can be used as another resource, but I think it can have its pros and cons to it. As well as for teachers, but I do think it might help them organize their classes better,” Castro said.
Other students expressed concerns about AI’s potential impact on the education system, effects on learning methods, and even the grading systems. While some see it as an opportunity to improve accessibility and personalized learning, some worry that relying on AI technology tools will diminish critical thinking skills.
“I think AI has its place in schools when used consciously. I view it as a tool to make my work stronger, but I worry that soon people will no longer bother to think creatively and will instead just replace their original thoughts with robotic language,” said Kate Williams, a fourth-year communications and media studies major.
Williams’ concern reflects a broader debate about the role of AI in education, fearing that it can weaken essential skills in students.
Ryan Walsh, an English MA student and academic advisor acknowledged both the risks of AI in education and the promise it brings to teaching. Walsh believes that technology should not replace human elements in our education system.
“I understand its importance and the need to keep up with the times– the potential benefits are truly unlimited. However, it’s important to remember the potential dangers that AI and advanced technology have played throughout human history. Ultimately there needs to be a balance, as human interaction is a fundamental and irreplaceable necessity for our academic, social, spiritual and holistic wellbeing,” Walsh said.
SSU Interim President Emily Cutrer explained to The Star staff some of the reasoning behind the implementation of AI within the CSU system.
“I can’t put words in the decision makers’ mouths, but I can venture a few ideas that I think are important,” Cutrer said. “AI is not going away, and we all need to learn to use it productively. Just keeping it away from students is not going to help anybody learn how to use it productively.”
“The AI initiative to me is scary, at my age it’s really scary… but you need to learn to figure out how to do it right, because if you don’t figure out how to do it right, someone’s going to do it wrong, against you,” Cutrer continued.
