Wentworth Institute of Technology Faculty Highlight AI Innovations at Liberal Arts Symposium

The Rise of AI in Liberal Arts Education

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence has moved beyond technical disciplines and entered the realm of the liberal arts. From computational economics to digital humanities, educators are now leveraging machine‑learning tools to enhance curriculum design, deepen research, and broaden student skill sets. The recent AI and the Liberal Arts Symposium held by Connecticut College showcased this trend, with Wentworth Institute of Technology faculty playing a prominent role in the conversation.

Key Themes From the Symposium

The event gathered experts from across the spectrum of higher‑education technology. Four representatives from Wentworth’s School of Sciences and Humanities led the discussion in the closing plenary, “Disciplinary Diversity in AI Integration: A Multi‑Perspective Approach to Liberal Arts Pedagogy.” Their presentations highlighted:

• Economics faculty using AI to craft interactive, data‑driven learning modules.
• Generative‑AI assignments that streamline research workflows and foster scholarly rigor.
• Reshaping writing instruction to prepare students for ethical AI use.
• Administrative frameworks that support faculty and students while upholding academic integrity.

Integrating AI Tools in Economics Courses

Professor Aroni Kabita Porna demonstrated how AI can transform economics instruction. By integrating statistical software that interprets large datasets, students gain hands‑on experience with real‑world scenarios. Here are three steps faculty can take to replicate this model:

1. Choose a User‑Friendly Platform – Start with tools such as Python’s Pandas library or R’s tidyverse, paired with cloud services that provide free academic licences. This lowers the barrier for students who may lack local computing resources.
2. Develop Capstone‑Style Projects – Design assignments that require students to collect, clean, and analyze datasets, then write a short policy recommendation based on their findings.
3. Embed Peer Review – Encourage students to critique each other’s code and interpretations, thereby reinforcing reproducibility and critical thinking.

Faculty can collaborate with the university’s AI Analytics program to secure guest‑lecture support, ensuring that students receive industry‑validated insights.

Generative AI for Research Workflow Enhancement

Professor Ella Howard outlined a suite of generative‑AI tools—chat‑based models, automated literature reviews, and citation generators—that streamline research processes. These tools are not a replacement for deep scholarship; rather, they act as research assistants that free scholars to focus on analysis and interpretation.

• Literature Summaries – Use natural‑language‑generation models to create concise outlines of relevant literature, allowing students to allocate more time to synthesis.
• Drafting Support – Employ writing assistants to generate first‑draft sections, which students can refine for clarity, tone, and style.
• Data Augmentation – Leverage AI to generate synthetic data for niche or sensitive datasets, which can be used to test hypotheses before collecting real‑world data.

To implement these practices, consider setting up a faculty‑led AI workshop that offers hands‑on training and best‑practice guidelines.

Reimagining Writing Instruction in the Age of AI

With Professor Juval V. Racelis’s presentation, the conversation shifted to future‑proofing writing courses. AI presents new expectations for scholarly writing: accurate attribution, critical analysis of algorithmic outputs, and ethical use of generative models.

1. Integrate Attribution Training – Teach students to cite AI‑generated text and to disclose usage, preserving transparency.
2. Develop Critical Review Assignments – Assign students to compare manual versus AI‑assisted drafts, assessing differences in argument structure and persuasiveness.
3. Encourage Ethical Debates – Host seminars that explore the moral implications of AI‑generated content, sharpening students’ analytical frameworks.

These strategies align with Wentworth’s aim to produce graduates who are proficient both in traditional research methods and in emerging technology.

Administrative Support: Building an AI‑Friendly Campus Culture

Dean Thaddeus Guldbrandsen highlighted the university’s framework for embedding AI while respecting faculty and student autonomy. The framework rests on three pillars: transparent policy, ongoing training, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Policy Transparency – Clearly defined guidelines on which AI tools are permitted, how they should be cited, and what constitutes academic misconduct.
• Faculty Development – Continuous professional‑learning opportunities, such as the AI Bootcamp, to keep educators abreast of evolving technologies.
• Cross‑Disciplinary Forums – Regular meetings that bring together faculty from STEM and humanities to discuss AI applications in their respective fields.

By embedding these pillars into the institutional framework, Wentworth ensures that AI remains a tool for enrichment rather than an obstacle to integrity.

Practical Takeaway for Faculty and Administrators

Whether you are teaching an introductory economics course or designing a graduate‑level research program, the symposium offers concrete steps to incorporate AI responsibly:

1. Create a small, manageable pilot project that applies AI in a contextually relevant way.
2. Build a resource hub—online repositories of tutorials, case studies, and policy documents.
3. Seek institutional support for faculty training and student access to required software.
4. Solicit student feedback to refine AI‑infused assignments and ensure learning objectives are met.
5. Publish lessons learned in departmental newsletters or at academic conferences.

Looking Ahead: AI Initiatives at Wentworth

Wentworth continues to expand its AI initiatives across campus. Current projects include a data‑visualization lab that partners with the urban studies department, and a research center on AI ethics that hosts workshops and publishes policy briefs.

These efforts position Wentworth as a leading institution that blends technical prowess with liberal‑arts values, producing graduates who can navigate complex, technology‑driven environments.

Next Steps for Interested Faculty and Students

• Explore Wentworth’s undergraduate application process to join a community that embraces interdisciplinary AI learning.
• Schedule a faculty workshop to gain deeper insights into AI tool integration by contacting the School of Sciences & Humanities.
• Visit the AI Workshop Portal for available training sessions.
• Connect with the university’s Student Engagement Office to find mentorship opportunities in AI projects.
• Stay informed by following Wentworth’s news feeds for updates on AI research and curriculum enhancements.

By taking these actionable steps, faculty and students alike can contribute to a future where artificial intelligence is integrated thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively across the spectrum of liberal‑arts education.