St. Bonaventure University will introduce a new artificial intelligence literacy unit into its introductory seminar beginning this fall, ensuring that all first-year students gain foundational knowledge and skills in one of the most transformative technologies shaping higher education and the workforce.

The required unit will introduce new undergraduate students to what artificial intelligence is, how it functions, and how it can be used to support academic work. Students will also learn how to engage AI tools responsibly and effectively, with an emphasis on academic integrity, critical thinking and ethical decision-making. 

“Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of every discipline and profession,” said Dr. David Hilmey, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “By embedding AI literacy into our first-year seminar (BONA 101), we are ensuring that every Bonaventure student begins their academic journey with the knowledge, skills and ethical grounding needed to use these tools thoughtfully and responsibly.”

The curriculum is designed to go beyond technical instruction. In addition to practical applications — such as using AI to support research, writing and problem-solving — students will explore broader social and ethical questions surrounding AI, including issues of bias, privacy, authorship and the impact of emerging technologies on society.

Faculty involved in developing the unit emphasized that the goal is not only proficiency, but perspective.

“We want students to understand not just what AI can do, but what it should do,” said Dr. Erin Sadlack, dean of SBU’s School of Arts & Sciences. “That requires critical reflection, ethical awareness and a commitment to using technology in ways that align with our values.”

The AI literacy unit is a key component of the university’s broader strategy to prepare students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape while remaining grounded in its Franciscan mission. By introducing these concepts early, St. Bonaventure aims to build a shared foundation that can be reinforced and expanded across disciplines throughout a student’s academic career.

The initiative builds on a series of recent investments and programs that have positioned St. Bonaventure as a leader in thoughtful AI integration.

Earlier this year, the university announced it would provide ChatGPT Edu licenses to all students, faculty and most staff, ensuring equitable access to advanced AI tools for teaching, learning and research. The rollout followed a successful pilot program and includes access to advanced models, research tools and collaborative features within a secure, enterprise-grade environment.

The university also established a Presidential Commission on Artificial Intelligence to guide policy development, curriculum innovation and ethical frameworks for AI adoption across campus. Academic programs have expanded coursework in areas such as AI literacy, prompt engineering and data analysis, while faculty workshops and student training sessions have reinforced responsible use and academic integrity.

Plans are also underway to launch a new major and two minors focused on artificial intelligence in the near future, further integrating AI into the university’s academic enterprise.

Hilmey, who also co-chairs the university’s AI Commission, said the new first-year initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to preparing students not only for careers, but for thoughtful leadership in a technology-driven world.

“Our responsibility is to ensure students are equipped to navigate emerging technologies with both competence and conscience,” Hilmey said. “This initiative is about forming graduates who can engage AI with integrity, guided by the human-centered values that define a Bonaventure education.”

By embedding AI literacy into the first-year experience, St. Bonaventure is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that all students — regardless of major — are prepared to engage confidently and responsibly with the tools that will shape their academic and professional futures.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).