Andrews University has established an institutional approach to artificial intelligence (AI) integration through policy development, training programs and employee support initiatives.
The University formed an AI Policy Taskforce in early 2025, co-chaired by Sam Kann, chief information officer, and Janine Lim, interim dean, Global Campus. This group of faculty, staff and students developed Andrews’ institutional AI policy—a framework emphasizing human oversight, transparency, data security and academic integrity. The policy, available at andrews.edu/ai, provides guidelines for responsible AI use across campus.
“We wanted to create a policy that reflects our values while empowering our community to use AI effectively and ethically,” explains Lim.
Implementation began in July with “AI Fireside Chats,” sessions designed to explore policy components through discussion, polls and Q&A. These recorded conversations covered topics from data security to meeting protocols.
In August, the Center for Digital Learning & Instructional Technology launched the Faculty AI Fellowship, a yearlong program supporting 15 faculty members in creating custom AI tools for their disciplines. Beginning with syllabus-trained chatbots to support student learning, Faculty AI Fellows have developed a range of applications while receiving ongoing training, mentorship and access to approved AI platforms.
“I use artificial intelligence as an academic ally—to research better, teach with greater impact and transform data into meaningful knowledge,” says Karla Basurto-Gutiérrez, professor of research and statistical methodology in the School of Graduate Psychology & Counseling and Faculty AI Fellow.
Moving forward, Andrews University plans to expand student-focused training and develop specialized applications that support University efficiency.
“I’ve been impressed with the AI Taskforce’s efforts to provide targeted resources and training that support the responsible use of AI by both faculty and students. I’ve also shared these resources with colleagues at other institutions,” notes Paulette McLean Johnson, dean of libraries and Faculty AI Fellow.
“The training and AI teaching fellowship have been helpful in thinking through the two questions that I am using to guide my use of generative AI and my students’ use: ‘Is this replacing my learning?’ and ‘Can I effectively monitor and correct the output?’” explains Karl Bailey, professor of psychology in the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Faculty AI Fellow. “I’ve found that generative AI is more useful to me behind the scenes in developing teaching materials and small web apps to augment student learning than in creating student-facing bots. The materials and apps can be built to target learning within guardrails in ways that the bots cannot.”
Fall semester featured professional learning opportunities coordinated by Sheralee Thomas, instructional designer, Global Campus, and Anthony Bosman, learning officer, Center for Teaching & Learning, in various formats: AI Learning Labs for skill building, Discovery Circles for collaborative sharing and Microlearning sessions for practical tips. Topics ranged from “AI Tools that Save Time” and “Talking to AI: The Art of Getting Better Results” to “Teaching Enhanced: Integrating AI in the Classroom.” The series also included “Resistance is Not Futile: When and How to Teach an AI-Resistant Course,” which explored designing courses that emphasize uniquely human skills like reflection, collaboration and creativity.
Moving forward, Andrews University plans to expand student-focused training and develop specialized applications that support University efficiency. The AI Policy Taskforce continues to meet regularly, refining University approaches to AI as technology evolves.
Advent AI Lab: Cultivating Creative AI Use in Life and Ministry
by Eric Louw
When AI began to surge into public consciousness in 2023, I had started getting into AI with image generation. Text generation models quickly followed. It became clear to me that the potential use cases were immense, yet often limited either by user creativity or a lack of awareness about how generative AI works. As a result, people often try to do things an AI model was not trained or suited for, only to conclude that the hype is overblown.
As AI-generated images and text started filling online marketplaces, often with thousands of sales for relatively basic ideas, I decided to find other Christians interested in AI who wanted to network and explore more practical use cases together. To accomplish this, Advent AI Lab was created to bring people together to experiment and share how AI is transforming their work. I began compiling all the AI use cases my wife and I had found helpful, and the list now totals around 100 different ways to use AI. I also created a simple resource page at AdventAILab.com to help people find the top tools for their specific AI needs.
A couple of months after launching this initiative, I presented on using AI in ministry at the Southern Union Conference’s Evangelism Conference (EC3). It quickly became apparent that one of the easiest and most promising areas for AI adoption would be image generation for teaching, preaching and evangelism. Since Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes media in user feeds over other content types, AI-generated images and videos quickly became the defining feature of the Advent AI Lab Facebook group.
Advent AI Lab now has over 4,500 members and continues to grow. Users frequently share news updates, new AI tools and creative image generation challenges. Many members create and use these images in preaching, teaching and ministry. My hope is that as people see what’s possible and that the learning curve is not as steep as they might assume, they will be inspired to find new ways to use AI to benefit their lives and their ministry to others. As part of this, I try to demonstrate that ideal AI use cases are not a replacement for learning and growth but should enhance these processes.
Since most of my time is currently spent in research and study, three modes of AI use that I’m most excited about right now are:
- Agentic tools like ChatGPT Codex, Gemini Deep Research or Alter, which autonomously perform tasks to find historical details and websites I may have missed in my research.
- Tools like NotebookLM and eno PDF reader that can find ideas in sources I provide and link directly to the sentences and paragraphs of interest—this is an especially helpful step after exhausting traditional searches or for discovering new terminology.
- Writing critique tools that can coach me on blind spots or areas in need of improvement in academic writing.
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