Summary
In August 2024, Imagining the Digital Future released the first edition of the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence in partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). The guide, titled “AI-U/v1.0,” was developed with the collaboration and review of faculty, scholars, academic leaders and students at universities around the world.
The guide is available free to all students and institutions, who may use, distribute and adapt its content under a Creative Commons license. “This guide was written from the student perspective and includes practical advice on using AI responsibly while in college and preparing for the AI future,” said Elon University President Connie Book.
OnAir Post: Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence
News
Elon University Webpage, – May 6, 2025
The new publication includes guidance for students using AI in their college studies and offers practical advice about preparing for careers that require AI knowledge and skills.
Elon University and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) have released the second publication in the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence series.
Like the widely adopted first publication, this resource is provided to students and institutions free of charge and is available for download on the Guide’s website: www.studentguidetoai.org or via the AAC&U website at aacu.org/publications.
The new publication includes guidance for students using AI in their college studies and offers practical advice about preparing for careers that require AI knowledge and skills. The content was developed with input from consulting scholars and students in 14 countries.
Students, faculty and staff at 1,900 colleges and universities around the world accessed the first Student Guide to AI when it was released in August 2024. Since then, the guide’s website has provided information to more than 36,000 users in 139 countries. The second publication supplements the first, and both are useful resources for students, faculty and staff who want to learn about AI.
“By providing a free resource written in a way all students can access, we hope to increase AI literacy and support students as they adapt to these rapidly changing technologies,” says Elon University President Connie Book. “From the outset, we knew that a second publication would be necessary, with rapid advances in AI changing the learning landscape. This current version will be especially useful as colleges and universities prepare for the upcoming academic year.”
The new Guide helps students prepare for the use of AI in their studies, with sections dedicated to five dimensions of AI skills:
- Research, information gathering and summarization
- Writing
- Creative work
- Data and numerical analysis
- Study and learning assistance
There are also chapters focused on academic integrity, AI ethics, career planning and building a portfolio of AI-assisted projects.
“AAC&U is proud to partner with Elon University on this expanded resource that helps students navigate the complexities of AI in their academic journey,” said C. Edward Watson, vice president for digital innovation at AAC&U. “This second publication directly addresses how students can develop critical AI literacy skills while preparing for a job market that increasingly demands AI competency. It represents our commitment to equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
The second publication’s content was developed using input from adopters of the first edition, student reviewers and guidance from prominent AI experts and faculty members at universities in the United States, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela.
The new Student Guide to AI is endorsed by:
- The American Library Association
- NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- EDUCAUSE
- Online Learning Consortium
- AMICAL Consortium – American international liberal arts institutions
The guide is authored by Daniel J. Anderson, special assistant to the president, Elon University; C. Edward Watson, vice president for digital innovation, AAC&U; Lee Rainie, director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center at Elon University; and Janna Anderson, professor of communications at Elon University and senior researcher for the Imagining the Digital Future Center.
As with the first publication, colleges and universities may request a version of the Student Guide to AI incorporating their institution’s logo on the cover, providing a custom edition for distribution within their campus community. For details on obtaining a customized PDF of the publication, send a request along with a logo file to: imagine@elon.edu.
The Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence is an initiative of Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, in partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). It is a continuation of a 2023 global collaboration that established a statement of principles to guide development of AI policies and practices in higher education.
About the publishers of the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence
Elon University is a mid-sized private university in Elon, North Carolina, with a national reputation for experiential learning, teaching excellence and close relationships between students and their faculty and staff mentors. Elon enrolls more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 48 U.S. states and 54 countries. Elon was founded in 1889 and includes a law school campus in Greensboro, N.C., and national campus locations in Los Angeles, Charlotte, New York City and Washington, D.C.
Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center is an interdisciplinary research center focused on the impact of accelerating digital change and the challenges that lie ahead. The center’s mission is to discover and broadly share a diverse range of opinions, ideas and original research about the likely evolution of digital change, informing important conversations and policy formation. The center was established in 2000 as Imagining the Internet and renamed Imagining the Digital Future with an expanded research agenda in 2024.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. Our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions around the world as well as other organizations and individuals.
About
Overview
Navigating college in the age of AI
Universities should embrace instruction in foundational skills and knowledge about digital technologies, preparing all learners to use AI proficiently, safely and ethically.
From the statement, “Higher education’s essential role in preparing humanity for the artificial intelligence revolution”
AI is transforming our world, often in ways we may not fully realize. This guide empowers students to engage with AI – academically, professionally and ethically. Understanding AI isn’t just useful; it’s essential. Learn to use AI responsibly, assess its influence critically, and join the conversation about its future.
Make it your goal to become skilled in using AI comfortably, effectively, safely and ethically. Learn AI’s capabilities and limitations. Understand when and how it can augment your work and when your unique human expertise and creativity is invaluable.
There is no doubt that AI will continue to evolve and impact many aspects of our lives. The changes ahead are hard to predict. This guide will help you get the most out of your college experience as you prepare for the revolution ahead.
The Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence Series
Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) have collaborated to create a two-publication series to guide students as they learn about and use AI. The first Student Guide to AI was published in August 2024 and the second guide will be released May 6, 2025. Both publications are available for free download and are published under a Creative Commons license, allowing individuals and institutions to excerpt and adapt material from the guides with proper attribution.
The 2025 guide is endorsed by:
How is AI changing higher education?
Learn about the changes taking place in higher education from a 2025 report by Elon University and AAC&U: Leading Through Disruption: Higher Education Leaders Assess AI’s Impacts on Teaching and Learning
Connie Book, president, Elon University
“As AI begins to influence teaching and learning, as well as many operations of colleges and universities, you need a road map to help navigate these changes. This guide was written from the student perspective and includes practical advice about using AI responsibly while in college and preparing for the AI future.”
C. Edward Watson, vice president for digital innovation, American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
“The world of learning and the world of work are both changing at a dramatic rate as a result of AI, so much so that using AI effectively has quickly become essential learning for college students. This guide is indispensable for students as they travel along their AI learning journey.”
Neeli Bendapudi, president, The Pennsylvania State University
“AI poses new challenges for higher education but also represents profound opportunities to enhance our ability to learn, educate, conduct research and serve communities in ways that have never been possible. As students, scholars and innovators, we must leverage these new tools ethically and effectively to continue realizing the vital role of higher education in modern society.”
Paul LeBlanc, former president, Southern New Hampshire University
“I am encouraged that many colleges are embracing the concept of human-centered AI. This important student guide illustrates that approach by combining common sense advice about using AI with guidance on developing strong personal relationships and recognizing your own unique knowledge, skills and creativity.”
Adam Clayton Powell III, executive director, University of Southern California Cybersecurity Initiative
“In the 21st century, knowledge of AI tools is not just useful: It is essential for mastering studies in colleges and universities, for navigating job opportunities in corporations and government, for creating startups in fields ranging from technology and finance to music and design, and for life-long learning, growth and fulfillment.”
Ryan McCurdy, senior vice president and president, Lenovo North America
“At Lenovo, we applaud Elon University for empowering students to step into the future with confidence and curiosity as you prepare for AI-driven careers. With the proper framework, you can harness the power of artificial intelligence to carve your path in a world where technology is not just a tool, but an enabler of innovation, collaboration and creativity. Embrace the learning journey. The skills you cultivate today will be the foundation of tomorrow’s workplace.”
Alan Inouye, senior director, public policy & government relations, American Library Association
“In college, acquiring knowledge is important, but even more important is developing the skills and strategies for lifelong learning. Most students won’t become experts in AI technology, but all need to understand how AI can advance their chosen professions and daily lives—just as we have with prior revolutionary innovations such as personal computing. This guide is a valuable resource to gain this AI understanding.”
Source: Student Guide to AI
Web Links
2024 Guide
Source: Student Guide
