A Human-Centric AI Framework to Support Active Learning Anywhere

Gen AI introduces a performance paradox: while AI can maximize task efficiency, it risks eliminating productive struggle, a mental effort essential for building learning. Many current conversations are focused on mitigating academic risk of AI, rather than exploring how AI can effectively support cognitive friction in higher education to increase active learning anywhere. This session introduces frameworks for using AI in higher education and rubrics for selecting AI tools to support augmented intelligence, not as a replacement for human thinking. By leveraging existing pedagogical models to help shift the focus of AI from technology-centered automation toward a humanist paradigm, AI can serve as a collaborative partner for learning in an ecosystem of instructor, learner, and machine.