UM's Intentional
Approach to AI
We're not rushing toward AI adoption. We're building thoughtfully, with our community, guided by our values.
What Intentional Means at UM
We've chosen a path that prioritizes community input, academic values, and thoughtful integration over speed.
Human-Centered
AI augments—never replaces—the distinctly human dimensions of education and discovery
Community-Driven
Decisions shaped by input from students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders across campus
Values-Based
Grounded in academic freedom, critical thinking, ethical inquiry, and transparency
Sustainable
Building for long-term success while considering environmental and social impact
Our Intentional Approach in Practice
Deliberate Planning
Community input shapes every decision
Inclusive Process
All voices matter in our dialogue
Values First
Human dignity guides our choices
Open Dialogue
Skepticism and questions welcomed
Our Community-Driven Process
How we've engaged the UM community in thoughtful dialogue and deliberative planning
The Future Project
Teaching, Learning, and Work with Artificial Intelligence
A university-wide initiative launched in 2025 with support from Montana-based Craton, bringing our community together to thoughtfully explore AI's role in teaching, learning, and work—while keeping human values at the center.
Four Interconnected Lines of Effort
How We Teach
Exploring faculty experiences and identifying AI tools that enhance pedagogy while safeguarding academic integrity
What We Teach
Building curricula that develop both technical AI competencies and essential human-centered skills
How We Work
Helping UM employees use AI to enhance productivity and creativity while addressing technological risks
Industry Demands
Partnering with Montana employers to align our programs with evolving workforce needs
Our Phased Approach
Campus-wide exploration and engagement. Oriented coordinators, conducted cross-campus conversations, delivered initial findings to leadership.
Developing UM's AI commitments and coordinated approach. Creating strategic vision for statewide AI leadership and immediate action items.
Implementation and community feedback. Campus-wide dialogue on AI commitments, refinement of strategies, and launch of early action items.
Why This Matters for UM
For Students: Ensures graduates have AI competencies and human skills that employers demand
For Faculty: Provides support in adapting teaching practices and maintaining academic integrity
For Staff: Explores AI tools to improve workflows and reduce administrative burden
For Montana: Positions UM as a convener for statewide AI strategy and workforce development
See detailed findings, participant lists, and opportunities to get involved
Our Deliberate Path Forward
How UM has thoughtfully approached AI adoption through community engagement and careful planning
May 2023
AI Writing @ UM
Initial campus conversation about AI's role in writing and academic work
September 2023
Faculty Conversations Series
Navigating AI in the Classroom: General discussion about student usage.
September 2023
Exploring the Frontier of AI
Campus workshop examining AI's potential and challenges in higher education
October 2023
Faculty Conversations Series
Navigating AI in the Classroom: Faculty discussion on creating generative AI statements for syllabi and assignments
November 2023
Graduate Directors Dialogue
Navigating AI in the Classroom: Faculty conversation series extends to graduate program directors and faculty
December 2023
Writing Assessment Workshop
Workshop on accountability, authorship, and writing assessments in the age of AI
January 2024
AI Symposium
Campus-wide AI initiative launched with university-wide participation
February 2024
AI Working Groups
Cross-departmental working groups formed to explore AI applications
March 2024
AI Flagship Fund
Internal funding program launched to support innovative AI projects
April 2024
Faculty Inquiry Projects
MUS Scholars projects launched: AI in the Classroom and Inquiry-based Learning in the Age of AI
Fall 2024
AI Faculty Workshops
Mansfield Library hosts series of AI workshops for faculty development
December 2024
FUTURE Project Launch
Comprehensive AI strategy and implementation project officially begins
January 2025
Campus AI Usage Survey
Campus-wide survey conducted to understand current AI adoption and needs
May 2025
ChatGPT EDU Available
Enterprise-grade ChatGPT access provided to the entire campus community
May 2025
OpenAI Academy Pilot
40 pilot users selected for advanced OpenAI Academy training program
June 2025
FUTURE Project Phase 1
First phase of strategic AI implementation successfully completed
July 2025
Amplify GenAI Pilot
75 pilot users begin testing the comprehensive enterprise AI platform
August 2025
PromptMind Launched
Advanced prompt engineering training platform goes live for the campus
September 2025
UMontana.AI Launched!✨
Comprehensive AI resource hub officially launches, marking a new era of AI at UM
A Living Framework
Our approach continues to evolve as we learn together. This isn't a finished plan—it's a framework for ongoing growth.
Continuous Learning
We adapt our approach based on experience, research, and community feedback
Community Feedback
Regular check-ins and input sessions keep our community at the center of decisions
Principled Adaptation
Changes are guided by our core values of human dignity and academic freedom
How We Continue to Learn and Adapt
Regular Assessment
- • Quarterly community surveys
- • Usage pattern analysis
- • Impact on learning outcomes
- • Ethical considerations review
Ongoing Dialogue
- • Open forums and town halls
- • Department-specific discussions
- • Student and faculty feedback sessions
- • External expert consultations
Join the Ongoing Dialogue
This is an evolving conversation, not a settled matter. We welcome all perspectives—including skepticism and questions.
We hear you. AI brings up real concerns for our community:
Academic concerns: Will AI make students lazy or undermine critical thinking?
Professional concerns: Will it eliminate jobs or devalue human expertise?
Fundamental concerns: Will we lose what makes education fundamentally human?
If you're skeptical about AI's place in education, or even opposed to it entirely, that perspective isn't just welcome—it's essential.
This is our campus, and these decisions should reflect our collective wisdom, not just the voices of early adopters. Real democracy means we can disagree and still work together to find our path forward.
Ways to Engage with the Conversation
Our Commitment to Inclusive Dialogue
We foster open dialogue that welcomes curiosity, critique, and collaboration from all perspectives—including those skeptical of AI's role in education and society.