Shape Shifting
Integrating AI into education
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Business didn’t unfold around Matt Seitz—he was hired to help shape it. As Director of its new AI Hub, Seitz was hired to build a central force for AI strategy and innovation, designed to support research, deepen industry ties and prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
What he has seen so far isn’t a slow, quiet integration—it’s a wave of transformation reshaping how faculty teach, how students learn and how the institution thinks about its future. Through his university work, he leads initiatives to advance AI research while fostering industry partnerships and preparing students for AI leadership roles. During his tenure as Director of Performance for Google Retail, Seitz helped top U.S. retailers leverage AI-powered advertising and analytics to drive growth, pioneering Google’s retail insights program across merchandising, stores and retail media.
So, when he sees what the future holds for AI, he understands the equation comes down to two important questions: How do we learn, and what do we learn? “Students now need a mix of skills—AI literacy, synthesis, contextualization, and human social skills,” Seitz says. “But we as universities also need to identify areas where deep knowledge is essential.”
At the University of Wisconsin, AI is shaping the classroom and the campus. The university is implementing it across the board. The technology touches everything from curriculum development and student organizations to how staff design assignments and evaluate performances. New courses are emerging. Existing ones are being enhanced. Industry partnerships and AI events are connecting students with real-world applications.
For Seitz, the most transformative potential lies in personalized learning. “Every student learns differently—pace, style, modality. AI allows us to adapt in real time. We’re working on creating an environment that supports both quick execution and in-depth learning.”
With all the promise that AI seemingly holds, there are catches. Seitz admits implementing the strategy can be a mixed bag. “We’re less affected than some schools, but every existential question is very real. Students are hearing AI is the future, but then being told they can’t use it in class. That creates confusion and ethical dilemmas. Faculty are embracing the challenge, rethinking their curricula and teaching approaches. That’s where I see real opportunity—a potential renaissance in education if we lead with thoughtfulness and adaptability.”
“Every student learns differently—pace, style, modality. AI allows us to adapt in real time.”
— Matt Seitz, Director, AI Hub for Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin School of Business
That means being able to balance the opportunity and responsibility. From ethical grading to equitable access, integrating AI means asking tough questions, with data privacy jumping to the top of the list. “We address this at the policy level and by choosing the right partners,” Seitz says. “And we emphasize pairing AI with human oversight.”
With faculty exploring AI at varying speeds, leaders in Teaching Excellence & Programs are hosting learning sessions, playbooks and plug-and-play modules to make adoption easier. The goal is to make innovation practical, accessible and scalable. “Some people say AI will replace teachers,” Seitz says. “I don’t believe that. But I do think institutions that lean in thoughtfully can lead a renaissance in education.”
The heart of the matter
From grant writing, teaching and learning, and student instruction, AI isn’t just part of the classroom at Huston-Tillotson University, it’s embedded in the institution. As Huston-Tillotson’s Director for the Center for Instructional Innovation and an AI expert, Denise Malloy, Ed.D., leads the campus-wide training for faculty and staff on using academic and productivity AI tools ethically and responsibly.
At Huston-Tillotson, every academic department actively uses AI tools. Dr. Malloy also is leading the staff in training on Microsoft Copilot, which will help streamline workflows, generate reports, and support better decision-making. In the classroom, Copilot enhances curriculum planning and helps faculty develop engaging, personalized learning materials.
AI supports both pedagogy and operations, which powers personalized learning, helps accommodate IEPs, and improves retention through predictive analytics. Tools like Knewton Alta enable real-time, adaptive learning. DeepL Translate breaks down language barriers. AI-powered research platforms like Scite and Semantic Scholar accelerate academic discovery. “It’s about expanding what we can do,” Dr. Malloy says. “From reducing manual work to reaching more students, AI is helping us operate smarter and teach better.”
This summer, the university plans to train professors how to create and integrate an AI tutoring platform into their course work. Dr. Malloy says this will be especially useful to first-generation students who might struggle with foundational concepts. “The AI would adapt to their pace, clarify misconceptions, and provide instant feedback. By midterm, a struggling student should be improving their grades. We will ask professors using the tool to share student experiences. Did the AI tutor give students the confidence to ask questions in class and engage more deeply with the material? That’s the kind of transformation we aim for—where technology empowers students to thrive.”
Still, equity is a guiding principle. Dr. Malloy emphasizes that integrating AI must be intentional and inclusive. Her team has tackled infrastructure challenges with phased upgrades and ensures digital access through device loans and support services. “Equity can’t be an afterthought. We integrate Universal Design for Learning and invite diverse student voices into the process.”
On the ethical front, Huston-Tillotson aligns with FERPA and GDPR, vets vendors, and includes faculty governance in oversight. Regular AI literacy workshops tackle both opportunity and risk, and a proposed internal advisory council would provide ongoing guidance.
The way Dr. Malloy views it, the future isn’t just about AI tools—it’s about AI fluency. “We need to embed digital literacy into our curricula and prepare students for a world where AI supports lifelong learning and global collaboration. AI will redefine what and how we teach. The institutions that prepare now will be the ones shaping what comes next. It will play a key role in lifelong learning pathways. Preparing for this future means embedding AI fluency into the very fabric of teaching, service, and scholarship.”
“We need to embed digital literacy into our curricula and prepare students for a world where AI supports lifelong learning and global collaboration.”
— Denise Malloy, Ed.D., Director, Center for Academic Innovation and Transformation, Division of Academic Affairs, Huston-Tillotson University
As AI continues to reshape today’s higher education landscape, the concept isn’t about chasing trends, but leading with purpose. If universities can do it right, education won’t just change, it will evolve.
SIDEBAR
AI’s impact in higher ed
- Personalized Learning – As AI adapts to individual learning styles, pacing, and needs, it will offer real-time support and more inclusive instruction.
- Campus Integration – From grading and curriculum design to workflow automation and predictive analytics, AI can help transform teaching and operational processes.
- Ethics & Equity – Institutions are tackling data privacy, ethical use, and access equity head-on by vetting tools, updating policies, and embedding AI literacy across campus.
- Real-World Readiness – AI-led instructional training programs can help prepare students for leadership in AI-driven industries.
- The Future is Fluency – By thinking beyond the “AI will replace teachers” fears, cultivating AI fluency can help blend human connection with evolving technology to shape what comes next.
Sources: Matt Seitz, Director, AI Hub for Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin School of Business; Denise Malloy, Ed.D., Director, Center for Academic Innovation and Transformation, Division of Academic Affairs, Huston-Tillotson University
