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First-Year AI Essentials Lab

The First-Year AI Essentials Lab is a 10-hour, optional opportunity for first-year Trinity students to develop human-first AI literacy.  It includes:

  • AI Essentials for Academic Success (60 minutes). As part of Orientation, every first-year student will participate in a 60-minute “AI Essentials” session, led by faculty. The session provides a foundation in AI literacy, including an overview of academic integrity and AI.
  • Self-Assessment (15 minutes). Students complete a 10-question, anonymous self-assessment by Elon University to understand the extent of their reliance or dependence on AI and explore the environmental impact of their AI usage.
  • AI & Responsible Use (45 minutes). First-year seminars discuss course learning goals and expectations for AI use; a college librarian meets with the seminar to review academic integrity standards and the importance of attribution and documentation when using AI.
  • Developing AI Literacy (4 hours). Students complete a self-paced four-hour online course called AI Literacy for All, from the Digital Education Council. This course, designed for higher education, is used by leading universities around the world, emphasizing critical thinking and ethical use. Students earn a certificate they can display on LinkedIn.
  • AI Hands-On Workshop (90 minutes). After completing the AI Literacy course in September, students complete a hands-on workshop in October, working through a series of prompts.
  • Fall Academic AI Symposia (2 hours). Students attend one of four interdisciplinary symposia in October and November, to engage intellectually with ideas and debates. The symposia are led by Trinity faculty and outside academics. Students submit a 2-page reflection by December 1 outlining what they learned and questions that still need answering.
    • AI and the Science of Human Learning
    • Human Creativity in the Age of AI
    • Cultivating Human Wellness and Resilience alongside AI
    • What Makes Us Distinctively Human? 
  • AI Debrief (30 minutes). Faculty and peer mentors have a candid conversation with first-year students about lessons learned and areas for further learning.

Students who complete all components of the non-credit First-Year AI Essentials Lab receive a formal letter of completion from the Office of the Provost and they can note completion on their resumés.