AI & Writing Committee

About the Committee

The Writing & Critical Inquiry (WCI) Program's Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Writing Committee’s commitment to teaching students how to think critically, communicate effectively and make connections between writing practices and the process of critical thinking reflects the importance of writing as a vehicle for inquiry, learning and expression.

An important role the WCI AI & Writing Committee plays is to keep its finger on the pulse of advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) writing technologies and how they impact students’ writing habits.

As AI writing technologies continue to evolve, we have a responsibility to critically examine the benefits and challenges of using AI writing tools in settings where writing practices and critical thinking are closely connected. 

This critical examination enables us to offer students guidance on the ethical and responsible uses of AI writing tools, while exploring how these tools can be harnessed to meet the instructors’ learning objectives and outcomes in the classroom and enhance student learning.

With a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, the WCI AI & Writing Committee also seeks to deepen its understanding of the strengths and drawbacks of AI writing technologies as they apply to our students, including historically underrepresented student populations, whose native language or vernacular is not standardized English.

Aligned with diversity and inclusion goals outlined in UAlbany’s Strategic Plan, we aim to contribute to the dismantling of inequitable systems and advocate for a just society.

In a rapidly advancing technological world with equally rapidly advancing AI writing technologies, AI will have a profound impact on writing pedagogy, especially in the first-year writing classroom. 

By conducting our own research and fostering collaborations with students and other programs, departments and units at our institution and beyond, the WCI AI & Writing Committee’s goal is to be a driving force at the forefront of emerging AI writing technologies, pedagogical writing and critical thinking practices, and equitable writing practices.

Our Goals

The committee’s key goals include:

• Deepening and amplifying WCI’s mission, aligned with the mission of our University, to help students think critically about the ethical and responsible uses of AI inside and outside the classroom
• Sustained inquiry into AI writing tools and pedagogical practices
• Drawing on the expertise of scholars and educators working in the field of AI and writing to provide workshops that help shape our instructors’ objectives and learning outcomes
• Offering our own workshops to deepen our faculty’s understanding of AI writing technologies and provide opportunities for pedagogical growth in the area of AI and writing
• Fostering collaborative discussions with programs, departments and units on and off campus to advance our sustained inquiry into AI and writing
• Amplifying voices of international students and historically marginalized populations whose native language or vernacular may not be standardized English towards equitable practices of AI writing tools
• Inviting WCI students to campus events as participants in a sharing of inquiry and experiential knowledge of AI writing tools

Partner with Us 

The WCI AI & Writing Committee partners with student organizations, University departments and units, off-campus organizations, and other groups to host events and workshops.

Please contact co-chairs Marcie Newton ([email protected]) and Stefan Vogel ([email protected]) to share opportunities to work together.

Upcoming Events 

Events are posted here as they are announced. Please visit the University’s Events Calendar for more upcoming events on campus.