Indiana University Launches Comprehensive AI Development Series for Educators and Professionals

Indiana University's Digital Gardener Initiative has unveiled an ambitious professional development program designed to build AI literacy across the academic community. The series features ten strategic webinars covering everything from basic AI practices to advanced agentic systems, positioning IU at the forefront of institutional AI education.

What Makes This Program Stand Out

The Digital Gardener AI/GenAI Series takes a holistic approach to AI education, targeting three core areas:

• Basic practices and considerations for AI and Generative AI implementation
• Creative confidence development for personal, professional, and pedagogical applications
• Critical issue exploration through collaborative discussions

Key Program Highlights

Cross-Disciplinary Focus: The series covers AI applications across arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and health/medicine, ensuring relevant content for every academic discipline.

Practical Application: Sessions like "Tips & Tricks for AI & Pedagogy" emphasize concrete classroom applications, assignment redesign, and student engagement strategies rather than abstract theory.

Career Readiness Integration: The program specifically addresses how AI skills are reshaping workforce expectations and student success metrics.

Future-Forward Planning: The capstone session "Preparing for the Next Wave" helps participants anticipate emerging tools and evolving AI capabilities for fall 2026.

Expert Leadership and Industry Connections

The series features distinguished speakers including Anne Leftwich, the Barbara B. Jacobs Chair in Education and Technology, and Isak Nti Asare, who co-authored the first city-led AI strategy in the United States and contributed to Mexico's National AI Strategy.

The program's emphasis on responsible AI implementation, combined with hands-on demonstrations using IU-approved tools, provides participants with both theoretical foundation and practical skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

This initiative represents a significant investment in preparing educators and professionals for an AI-integrated future, offering a model that other institutions could adapt for their own communities.

🔗 Full Program Details on Indiana University Digital Gardener Initiative