Published: September 25, 2026

NIU meteorology graduate Daniel Wefer is helping unlock new possibilities for weather forecasting through artificial intelligence. During an internship at Argonne National Laboratory, Wefer adapted a self-supervised AI model and trained it on vast archives of weather radar data, reducing the need for time-intensive human labeling while enabling the system to learn directly from weather patterns. His work could serve as the foundation for future AI tools that enhance storm identification, tracking, and short-term severe weather prediction.

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Published: September 21, 2026

University Marketing has released new guidance on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in materials that represent NIU. The guidance outlines acceptable uses of AI tools, disclosure expectations, quality standards, and important restrictions, including prohibiting the use of AI to reproduce, recreate, or alter the NIU logo. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the guidance and work with Creative Services and the Clearinghouse review process to ensure AI-assisted content aligns with NIU branding and communications standards.

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Published: September 19, 2026

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, NIU faculty gathered on September 18, 2026, for a conversation facilitated by EAB on preparing students for success in an AI-enabled future. The workshop explored emerging workforce trends, the growing importance of AI literacy across disciplines, and practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching and learning.

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Published: September 15, 2026

AI can help students with their academics, but it can also be used as a tool to skip studying. This article by Ashley Mauro of the Northern Star explores NIU faculty perspectives on AI and how they use it in their classrooms to benefit students.

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Published: August 27, 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, careers and everyday life. From responsible AI use and critical evaluation of information to career readiness and ethical decision-making, NIU’s efforts are focused on ensuring graduates are prepared to lead and adapt in a rapidly changing world.

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Published: August 25, 2026

NIU College of Business associate professor Andy Jeon has received the 2026 David W. Raymond Award for Use of Technology in Teaching for his innovative approach to integrating artificial intelligence into marketing education. Through courses that emphasize ethical AI use, critical thinking and cognitive amplification, Jeon helps students learn how to work effectively with AI while maintaining human judgment and creativity, preparing them for an AI-enabled workforce.

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Published: August 13, 2026

While the landscape is changing every day, the NIU College of Business has led the way in evolving curricula, degree programs and professional opportunities that allow students to gain the skills they need to be part of an AI-ready workforce.

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Published: August 13, 2026

The NIU Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence has been expanded with a new Human Wisdom field guide, self-assessment tool, and related resources designed to help students cultivate the uniquely human capabilities that remain essential in an AI-enabled world. These new resources encourage students to develop critical thinking, ethical judgment, creativity, empathy, and other forms of human wisdom that complement effective AI use.

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Published: August 13, 2026

In a recent appearance on Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show, NIU communication scholar Andrea L. Guzman joined a panel discussion examining how artificial intelligence is changing communication, education, and everyday interactions. The conversation explored growing public use of AI technologies and highlighted the importance of understanding how these tools shape human relationships, trust, and communication practices.

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Published: August 4, 2026

In a recent publication, M. Courtney Hughes presents a harm-reduction framework designed to support the responsible use of artificial intelligence in public health research. The framework emphasizes data governance, public engagement, and transparency to help researchers maximize AI’s benefits while reducing risks related to misinformation, bias, and public trust.

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Published: July 21, 2026

NIU is using AI-enhanced tools within Navigate and Mission AI to help identify student needs, streamline support services and connect students with timely resources. By combining technology with personalized outreach, the university is improving the student experience while helping more students stay on track toward their academic goals.

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Published: July 15, 2026

Inspired by a personal experience, NIU engineering researchers are developing an AI-powered stethoscope that uses machine learning to help identify signs of respiratory illness more quickly and accurately. The student-driven project highlights how artificial intelligence can be applied to healthcare challenges, creating innovative tools that have the potential to improve early detection and patient care.

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Published: June 24, 2026

Inspired by a personal experience, NIU engineering researchers are developing an AI-powered stethoscope that uses machine learning to help identify signs of respiratory illness more quickly and accurately. The student-driven project highlights how artificial intelligence can be applied to healthcare challenges, creating innovative tools that have the potential to improve early detection and patient care.

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Published: June 23, 2026

Research pioneered by NIU communication scholars has helped establish Human–Machine Communication as a recognized field of study, examining how people interact with AI systems, chatbots, virtual assistants and other communicative technologies. The recent elevation of Human–Machine Communication to a full division within the International Communication Association highlights NIU’s leadership in advancing scholarship on the social, ethical and communicative dimensions of artificial intelligence.

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Published: June 22, 2026

In a recent publication, Kimberly Shotick introduces the PEACE framework as a practical approach for helping learners engage with artificial intelligence critically, ethically, and responsibly. The model encourages students to move beyond simply using AI tools by considering issues of purpose, ethics, accuracy, citation, and evaluation, supporting the development of AI literacy and informed decision-making.

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Published: June 9, 2026

Six doctoral students from NIU's Department of Computer Science presented research at Midwest Speech and Language Days 2026, a regional conference focused on speech, language and conversational AI technologies. Their work explored topics including large language models, explainable AI, stylometry, human evaluation of generated text and emerging directions in AI-powered language technologies.

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Published: April 28, 2026

Aspiring school leaders in NIU’s educational leadership program are examining how artificial intelligence can be implemented responsibly to support teaching, learning, and school operations. The experience encourages future superintendents to consider both the opportunities and challenges of AI while developing strategies for ethical, effective leadership in an increasingly AI-enabled educational landscape.

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Published: May 11, 2026

Students participating in NIU's 2026 Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) joined a roundtable discussion to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping research, education and society. Five students from distinct academic programs shared their research and reflected on AI's opportunities and challenges.

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Published: May 8, 2026

Heidi Frostestad, associate dean in NIU’s College of Law, will present at the 2026 CALI Conference at the University of Michigan Law School on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and technology in legal education. Her session will explore how law schools are adapting curriculum, teaching practices and professional expectations in response to rapidly advancing AI technologies.

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Northern Illinois University is offering IDSP 310: Generative AI Across Disciplines during Summer 2026 (June 15-August 9). This interdisciplinary online course explores the impact of generative AI across academic and professional contexts, with hands-on experience using tools such as ChatGPT, DALL-E and Claude. Students will develop practical AI literacy, examine ethical considerations and build a portfolio of AI-enhanced work.

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Friday, May 1, 2026 | 2:30 p.m.

Northern Illinois University
Psychology/Computer Science Building, Room 103
100 Normal Rd
DeKalb, IL 60115

This AI/ML Research Seminar explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping skill formation, including productivity gains, cognitive offloading, skill retention, and risks of overreliance. The presentation begins with an overview of Anthropic’s latest research on vibe coding, followed by a second half based on curriculum from Stanford’s CS146S: The Modern Software Developer.

Published: April 30, 2026

NIU art and design students are collaborating on a research project exploring how high school art teachers are integrating artificial intelligence into their teaching practices and creative work. The initiative highlights both the opportunities and challenges of AI in art education, offering insights that can help inform future curriculum design and classroom innovation.

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Published: April 18, 2026

Founded by NIU Department of Computer Science faculty Lei Zhang and Zhishuai Guo, this collaborative brings together researchers and students to explore artificial intelligence through shared learning and collaboration. The community encourages members to take on leadership roles, contribute presentations, and organize events, creating an open environment for engagement, knowledge sharing, and cross-disciplinary innovation.

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Published: April 15, 2026

NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology is integrating artificial intelligence across programs to enhance hands-on learning, streamline instruction, and better prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving workforce. The initiative emphasizes purposeful, real-world applications of AI—positioning it as a tool to support teaching, innovation, and student success rather than replace human expertise.

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Published: April 7, 2026

Andy Jeon, assistant professor in the Department of Marketing in the College of Business, is advancing the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing through research, teaching and industry engagement at NIU. His work explores how AI can enhance decision-making, customer insights and strategic communication, preparing students to lead in an increasingly data-driven business environment.

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Published: March 26, 2026

NIU marketing assistant professor Andy Jeon highlights the growing challenges organizations face when deploying AI chatbots in customer service, including issues of trust, usability, and customer frustration. The discussion underscores how design choices—such as how humanlike a chatbot appears—can shape user expectations and satisfaction, reinforcing the need for more thoughtful, user-centered implementation of AI tools in service environments.

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Published: March 20, 2026

NIU’s College of Business has redesigned two graduate programs to embed artificial intelligence at the core, preparing students to apply AI, analytics, and emerging technologies to real-world business challenges. The updated programs emphasize both technical expertise and strategic thinking, equipping graduates to lead in data-driven, AI-enabled organizations.

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Published: March 19, 2026

NIU computer science Ph.D. student Dalia Khaizaran has been selected for a highly competitive national training program, where she is applying artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches to improve health outcomes and expand access to care for diverse populations.

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Published: March 16, 2026

A collaborative research project involving NIU and St. Mary School is examining how AI-powered chatbots can support learning and instructional conversations in educational settings. The next phase of the study will investigate the effectiveness of chatbots as teaching tools while exploring broader questions about the role of AI in K–12 education.

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Published: March 16, 2026

A collaborative research project involving NIU and St. Mary School is examining how AI-powered chatbots can support learning and instructional conversations in educational settings. The next phase of the study will investigate the effectiveness of chatbots as teaching tools while exploring broader questions about the role of AI in K–12 education.

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Published: March 15, 2026

NIU graduate student researcher Mobin Hossein Panahi has integrated ChatGPT with a Furhat social robot, enabling students to interact with AI through natural conversation, facial expressions and eye contact. The project explores how AI-powered social robots could create more engaging, accessible and supportive learning experiences for students.

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Published: March 15, 2026

NIU faculty are invited to apply for the 2026 AI Curricular Innovation Grants, a competitive grant program supporting course redesign projects that thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into teaching and learning. Through these grants, faculty are supported in helping students develop AI literacy, critical thinking about AI tools and an understanding of how AI is used in professional and disciplinary contexts.

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Published: March 13, 2026

Faculty in NIU’s College of Business are investigating whether people are more likely to engage with and rely on chatbots when they appear more human in their communication and design. The research explores how humanlike AI interactions may shape user trust, decision-making and the effectiveness of chatbot-based services in business settings.

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Published: March 6, 2026

A recent NIU College of Business conference brought together industry leaders and educators to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills needed for future business leaders. Discussions highlighted the growing importance of judgment, accountability, and adaptability as professionals learn to work effectively alongside rapidly evolving AI technologies.

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Published: March 6, 2026

A recent NIU College of Business conference brought together industry leaders and educators to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills needed for future business leaders. Discussions highlighted the growing importance of judgment, accountability, and adaptability as professionals learn to work effectively alongside rapidly evolving AI technologies.

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Published: March 4, 2026

A recent workshop at Founders Memorial Library introduced students to practical ways artificial intelligence tools can support academic research while maintaining ethical standards. Participants explored platforms such as Copilot, Elicit, and Research Rabbit while learning how to use AI responsibly for tasks like locating sources and organizing research without compromising academic integrity.

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Published: March 3, 2026

Researchers at NIU’s AI LEADS lab are developing an AI-driven tool that analyzes children’s walking patterns to help identify early signs of autism from simple video recordings. By making screening faster, more objective, and accessible regardless of location or language, the project aims to reduce delays in diagnosis and expand access to early intervention resources.

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Published: February 19, 2026

A new Artificial Intelligence Literacy Framework from the U.S. Department of Labor outlines key competencies to help workers and learners understand, evaluate, and responsibly use AI technologies in an evolving workforce. The guidance identifies core knowledge areas and practical principles for building AI skills across education, training, and workforce programs.

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Published: February 18, 2026

Project L.I.S.T (Literacy, Inquiry, Social Justice, Technology) introduces a district-tested professional learning model that helps educators integrate ethical AI with culturally responsive, inquiry-driven instruction. Through coaching cycles, collaborative planning and classroom-ready tools, the initiative supports teachers in strengthening critical thinking, writing and student engagement while building more inclusive learning environments.

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Published: February 10, 2026

The NIU College of Business will host an AI conference – “Educating the AI-Ready Graduate: An Industry Perspective” – at Barsema Hall Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. This event is open to all NIU faculty, staff and students who would like to hear from industry leaders about preparing students to succeed in today’s workplace. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Barsema Hall Auditorium. Our keynote speaker will be alumnus John Tsaras, ’14, who is an operations leader for The Coca-Cola Company.

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Published: February 9, 2026

NIU has partnered with Marmion Academy to pilot a college-level AI and cybersecurity curriculum that introduces high school students to the foundations of artificial intelligence, data ethics and responsible technology design through hands-on, project-based learning. Marmion students and teachers will work with NIU researchers to test lessons and refine the program, culminating in a capstone project where students design a simple AI system with attention to privacy, security and fairness.

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Published: February 3, 2026

A new national survey by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) of more than 1,000 college faculty reveals a complex picture of generative AI’s impact on higher education, with many educators expressing deep concerns about academic integrity, critical thinking and the future value of degrees. At the same time, a majority see potential for AI to personalize learning and support instruction, underscoring the need for shared frameworks and thoughtful approaches to AI literacy and policy on campus.

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Published: January 29, 2026

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark chats with Andrea Guzman, associate professor of Communicatioin at NIU and co-director of the Human-Machine Communication Lab, about artificial intelligence and how it's already shaping the way we get our information.

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Published: January 29, 2026

This new website is a central place to bring together guidance, tools and campus expertise to help our community navigate both the opportunities and the challenges of AI. The website highlights AI-related news and events, available tools, institutional guidance and common questions to help students, faculty and staff navigate AI’s opportunities and considerations across campus.

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Published: January 29, 2026

The College of Business Marketing Mixers event drew area marketing professionals and prospective students to explore the real-world impact of artificial intelligence on the field, spotlighting how AI is shaping strategy, creativity and analytics. Attendees heard from industry leaders and NIU faculty about current AI applications and trends, reinforcing the importance of blending foundational marketing skills with emerging technologies.

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Published: January 7, 2026

The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning has released a new Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence offering a comprehensive introduction to AI’s academic, professional, and ethical dimensions to support student success in an AI-enhanced world. The guide walks learners through foundational concepts, responsible use of AI tools, ethical considerations, and how AI literacy connects to future careers, helping students engage thoughtfully and critically with these technologies.

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Published: January 7, 2026

A research collaboration among Spirit AeroSystems Inc., the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Argonne National Laboratory, NIU and Texas Research Institute (TRI) Austin has developed a powerful, new AI-assisted tool that transforms how manufacturers inspect critical aerospace components.

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Published: December 16, 2025

NIU is hosting the 25th Anniversary ACM/IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL 2025)—a fully virtual international conference focused on AI and digital knowledge, bringing together researchers and practitioners to share innovations in digital libraries, information discovery, and related technologies.

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Published: November 21, 2025

David J. Gunkel joins WGN Radio host John Williams for a wide-ranging conversation on AI-generated music—exploring the current AI landscape in the arts, how musicians are incorporating AI into their creative work, the ethical and copyright questions it raises, and what AI-driven art reveals about the future of human creativity.

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Published: November 20, 2025

NIU graduate student Riyan Mohammed built an AI-powered tutoring platform called FastLRN to help students better understand course material rather than just get answers, and it’s now being used by hundreds of students and several instructors in NIU business classes.

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Published: November 13, 2025

A new partnership with Neurotone AI empowers Doctor of Audiology students through hands-on access to Lace AI Pro, a next-generation auditory training platform. This collaboration enables students to experience firsthand how AI-driven tools can enhance listening and speech comprehension for individuals with hearing challenges.

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Published: November 6, 2025

Cindy York, associate professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment in the College of Education, taught an honors seminar in the fall 2025 semester titled, "Future Ready: Exploring the Role of Generative AI in Education and the Workplace."

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Published: October 14, 2025

A.G. Rud will deliver the 2025 Merritt Address at NIU on combating misinformation and discerning fact from fiction in today’s complex information landscape. Drawing on concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and the challenges posed by rapid advances in technology like AI, Rud will explore how critical thinking and education play essential roles in sustaining democratic discourse.

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Published: September 22, 2025

NIU has launched the NIU AI Network, a collaborative community designed to bring together faculty, staff, and students interested in ethical, mission-aligned AI practices and learning. The Network fosters connection, resource-sharing, and thoughtful exploration of AI’s benefits, challenges, and real-world use cases, with biweekly meetings open to all members of the Huskie community.

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Published: August 19, 2025

NIU Career Services has introduced Quinncia, an AI-powered platform that delivers personalized feedback on resumes, LinkedIn profiles and mock interviews using technology similar to what employers use in hiring. Paired with resources like the Huskie Career Launchpad, Quinncia helps NIU students strengthen their professional presence and build confidence as they prepare for internships, jobs and graduate school.

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Published: July 7, 2025

NIU nursing faculty, working with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, are integrating artificial intelligence tools into nursing education to personalize learning, redesign assessments and create more engaging, real-world learning experiences. AI platforms like adaptive study tools and simulation support individualized student progress, while instructors are using AI to develop authentic assignments and streamline assessment design.

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Published: December 12, 2024

As the use of generative AI grows in higher education, AI detection tools are increasingly being promoted as a solution for academic integrity concerns. This article explores why these tools can be unreliable and ethically problematic, highlighting the risks of false accusations and emphasizing the need for more thoughtful, learning-centered approaches to addressing AI use in coursework.

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Published: November 27, 2024

NIU’s assessment team is exploring ways artificial intelligence can streamline accreditation work, from drafting narratives to organizing self-study outlines, as part of a project with a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment. While the initiative highlights AI’s potential to save time and support continuous improvement, it also underscores concerns around data security and the importance of using these tools thoughtfully in institutional reporting.

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Published: October 31, 2024

NIU has launched Mission, an AI-powered chatbot and text messaging service designed to provide undergraduate students with real-time support for academics, wellness, financial questions and campus life without requiring an app or login. The system combines proactive check-ins and around-the-clock responses to help students stay engaged, informed and connected to resources that support their persistence and success.

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Published: October 29, 2024

Melissa Fickling, spent the summer learning about AI and then integrated generative AI tools into her graduate counseling ethics course to help students explore ethical uses and implications of the technology while enhancing learning through activities like AI-supported case development and transparent discussions of AI use.

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Published: August 21, 2024

As generative AI tools continue to evolve at a rapid pace, this article highlights key takeaways from an NIU workshop focused on helping faculty stay current with emerging AI capabilities and classroom applications. It spotlights new approaches to framing AI use in teaching, along with campus-supported tools and resources that encourage thoughtful, transparent integration of AI into coursework.

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Published: May 9, 2024

At the May 9, 2024 Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee meeting of the NIU Board of Trustees, an update outlined how the university is supporting faculty in responsibly integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and learning. The update highlighted new AI resources, including an AI in Teaching Toolkit, professional development offerings, sample policies, and pilots like the Blackboard AI Design Assistant, alongside ongoing efforts to build institutional capacity for thoughtful AI use.

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Published: February 28, 2024

NIU faculty are piloting an AI design assistant in Blackboard to help streamline routine course-building tasks like creating rubrics and suggesting learning modules, freeing up time for more meaningful teaching work. The pilot, informed by faculty feedback, will help determine whether the tool will be made more widely available, while sparking important conversations about how AI should be used in higher education.

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Published: January 24, 2025

Researchers from the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment (ETRA) are working with nearly 50 middle-level students and their teachers at St. Mary Catholic School to measure their comprehension of Artificial Intelligence.

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Published: July 24, 2023

A new Class Policies for the Use of AI Tools guide offers sample syllabus language and policy examples faculty can adapt when addressing generative AI in their courses. The resource is designed to help faculty set clear expectations around acceptable and unacceptable AI use while revising syllabi for the upcoming academic term.

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Published: May 10, 2023

Artificial intelligence is changing the game for all professions, including teaching. Understanding it is only the first step; success in the new reality also will require trying to keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution and the ability to keep an open mind about its presence on the field of play.

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