Using AI on Campus to Boost Human Thinking, Not Replace It

A leader at San Diego State University says the most important thing about artificial intelligence isn't learning the latest tools — it's learning how to think carefully about when to trust them. James Frazee is the university's chief information officer, which means he oversees how technology is used on campus. He recently shared his ideas about a program called AI-Ready California, which helps students and workers learn to use AI in smart and responsible ways.

Frazee says many people have the wrong idea about AI ethics. They think it means keeping up with every new AI product that comes out. But he believes it's really about building good habits of thinking that last a long time. The specific AI tools will keep changing fast, but the right questions to ask before using AI will stay the same.

The AI-Ready California program focuses on real-life practice, not memorizing facts about today's technology. Students work through situations that involve privacy, bias, and making decisions at work. The goal is to help people think critically — meaning they learn to question what AI tells them, not just use it quickly and without thinking.

Frazee says AI should add to human judgment, not take its place. That idea is at the heart of both SDSU's plan for AI and the AI-Ready California program. Employers keep saying the same thing: they want workers who know when to trust AI, when to question it, and when a real person must make the final call.

When it comes to college degrees versus shorter programs, Frazee says it doesn't have to be one or the other. Traditional college degrees are still the best way to build deep knowledge and strong thinking skills. But because technology changes so quickly, people also need faster ways to learn new skills throughout their lives and careers.

Short programs called microcredentials are becoming an important part of lifelong learning. With AI changing so fast, no one can go back for a whole new degree every few years. Instead, universities can offer smaller, stackable learning experiences that work alongside a college degree and help people stay up to date.

Frazee offered four key pieces of advice for colleges working on AI programs. First, he said to treat AI as a people project, not just a technology project. The real challenge is helping people understand where AI helps, where it can cause problems, and how it changes the way we learn and work.

Second, he said schools should start by listening to their communities. At SDSU, leaders used surveys to learn how people felt about AI. That survey has grown into the biggest known AI survey in higher education, with more than 94,000 responses from all 23 California State University campuses. The results showed where people felt unsure, what kind of training they wanted, and what worried them.

Third, Frazee said schools should teach broad AI literacy before jumping into advanced topics. Understanding AI basics has become important for all kinds of jobs, not just computer science careers. Finally, he said no single school can do this work alone, so AI-Ready California brings together universities, the state government, workforce agencies, and companies like AWS to make sure everyone has a chance to learn.