Editorial

With the DataSci+AI Forum on March 26–27 just around the corner, we've been thinking about what it means to build AI strategy that's grounded in real human experience. A study conducted last year, right here at the University of Pittsburgh offers a timely and provocative set of answers.

The headlines say students are cheating their way through college with AI. The data says it's more complicated.

Pitt's own Annette Vee — Associate Professor of English, Director of the Composition Program, and a leading researcher on AI and writing — recently synthesized findings from over ten major reports on student AI use, including her own original research with Pitt students. Here's what stands out.

By: Kendra Oliver, Ph.D., M.P.S.

By: Emily Durning

In your everyday life, how do you decide when to pull up ChatGPT to answer your question or help you with a task? This past December, Nora Mattern and I wanted to see how this cohort of RDS Scholars would navigate these decisions through the lens of responsible uses.  

By: Naveena Nagaraju (6/30/2025)

Understanding Data Licenses Before Using AI Tools

With many turning to tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for analysis, writing, or generating data science insights, one concern that people should be thinking about is: “Can I upload this dataset?” 

A preliminary report from the 2024 Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey offers important insights into how undergraduate students at Pitt are engaging with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. Rather than fueling hype or fear, the data gives us something more useful: clarity.

Here are the key takeaways:

What happens when AI moves from tool to classroom tension?

Explore how university students are wrestling with anxiety, confusion, and even distrust, not just toward artificial intelligence itself, but toward classmates and instructors, as generative AI reshapes learning and relationships on campus.

The University of Pittsburgh’s strategy surrounding artificial intelligence will be practical, supporting students and the workforce, said Michael Colaresi, newly named director of the academic Hub for AI and Data Science Leadership.

By Caleb Finamore

Editor's Note: This is part 3 of a four-part mini-series discussing Pitt's annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression Fair.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4