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NOTRE DAME, IN - October 27, 2025 A new paper titled “AI Academy: Building Generative AI Literacy in Higher Ed Instructors” (arXiv:2509.11999) outlines an emerging model for professional development in higher education amid the rapid rise of generative AI.

Conducted by University of Notre Dame researchers Si Chen, Xiuxiu Tang, and colleagues, the study details the AI Academy, a pilot program involving 25 instructors designed to strengthen faculty competence in AI literacy, ethics, and pedagogy. Through workshops, surveys, and peer-reflection exercises, participants reported significant gains in understanding how generative AI can be responsibly integrated into teaching and assessment.

The findings emphasize that instructors are not merely end-users of AI technologies but key architects of how such tools shape academic culture and policy. The research presents a scalable framework - including survey instruments and design guidelines - for universities seeking to embed AI literacy and responsible use within faculty development programs.

Researchers conclude that advancing AI education in higher ed requires more than technical training; it demands ethical awareness, institutional support, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The AI Academy model, they argue, could help institutions close the gap between rapid AI adoption and thoughtful, informed implementation across classrooms and campuses.

*Sources: *https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.11999