TLDR: Northern Arizona University (NAU) professors are at the forefront of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their research and teaching methodologies, supported by the university’s Transformation through Artificial Intelligence in Learning (TRAIL) program. Projects span diverse fields, from enhancing STEM learning and creative workflows to exploring AI’s role in software engineering, peacebuilding, and nursing research. The initiative aims to equip students with critical AI literacy and ethical application skills for future careers.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is actively embracing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its faculty spearheading innovative research and educational initiatives across various disciplines. The university’s commitment is underscored by its Transformation through Artificial Intelligence in Learning (TRAIL) program, now in its second year, which provides grants to professors exploring the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into their work. This program is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Among the fourteen professors who received grants this year, several are conducting groundbreaking studies. Priyanka Parekh, an Assistant Research Professor in the Center for STEM Teaching and Learning, is investigating how undergraduate students can leverage GenAI as learning partners to deepen their understanding of STEM topics. Parekh emphasizes the importance of developing ‘critical AI literacy skills that enable individuals to question, critique and ethically utilize AI tools in and beyond the school setting’ as GenAI becomes an integral part of daily life. Her research is also expected to have broader applications, informing equitable GenAI use in industries such as healthcare, engineering, and finance by understanding how learners interact with GenAI to solve problems and evaluate information.
In the creative arts, Chris Johnson, a Professor of Visual Communication in the School of Communication, is focusing on integrating AI-enhanced creative workflows into art, design, visual communication, and animation education. Johnson views AI not as a replacement for human creativity but as a powerful collaborator. His project involves developing classroom-ready workflows that combine industry tools like After Effects, Procreate Dreams, and Blender with AI assistants for tasks such as storyboarding, ideation, cleanup, and accessibility support. He states, ‘AI is changing creative industries, but the real skill isn’t pressing a button—it’s knowing how to direct, critique and refine AI as a collaborator. That’s what we’re teaching our students: how to keep authorship, ethics and creativity at the center.’ The study will also produce case studies comparing traditional and AI-assisted pipelines to assess time savings and quality improvements.
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Other notable projects funded by the TRAIL program include Marco Gerosa from the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, who is researching the extent to which AI can replace human subjects in software engineering research. Emily Schneider from Criminology and Criminal Justice is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence in Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding, while Delaney La Rosa from the College of Nursing is working on enhancing research methodologies within her field. These diverse projects highlight NAU’s comprehensive approach to integrating AI, preparing both faculty and students for an AI-driven future.
