At the University of Wyoming, a dedicated commission is currently developing guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on campus. This initiative aims to enhance research opportunities while establishing ethical frameworks for implementing AI in academic settings.
<p>Scheduled for release later this year, the commission's first report will outline potential avenues for research partnerships, whether with private entities or government agencies. Additionally, it will provide recommendations for the ethical application of AI in classrooms.</p>
<p>Leading this important effort is Jeff Hamerlinck, Associate Director of the School of Computing. With a background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Hamerlinck has witnessed the evolution of AI from niche software tools to ubiquitous applications in education.</p>
<p>“AI is increasingly becoming integral to higher education, and ignoring it is not an option,” he noted. “We must seize the opportunities it presents while also addressing any associated challenges.”</p>
<p>This new commission follows UW's earlier attempts to tackle AI policy. The release of ChatGPT in late 2022 sparked a wave of interest, prompting instructors to <a href="https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/open-spaces/2023-02-03/uw-instructors-are-thinking-about-how-to-live-with-or-use-chatgpt" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>consider AI's role</u></a> in their teaching. In response, UW established a <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/acadaffairs/_files/docs/2023-ai-committee-charge-letter-final.pdf" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>dedicated committee</u></a> that has <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/acadaffairs/resources/ai-committee.html" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>curated resources</u></a> and <a href="https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/news/2023-03-09/uw-administration-is-considering-the-consequences-and-ethics-of-ai" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>published guidelines</u></a> that are accessible to the public.</p>
<p>The newly formed <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/news/2025/12/uw-establishes-ai-across-the-university-commission.html" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>commission</u></a> represents the most comprehensive initiative thus far, tasked with exploring various aspects including hiring practices and research funding, particularly through emerging federal programs like the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/11/launching-the-genesis-mission/" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>Genesis Project</u></a>, as well as the application of AI in scientific research.</p>
<p>“Our faculty have been proactive in addressing both the positive impacts of AI and its potential downsides,” commented Hamerlinck. “This commission is all about enhancing our capacity to coordinate and support a wide range of AI applications across campus.”</p>
<p>The commission is building on existing <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/president/initiatives/ai4wy/index.html" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>initiatives</u></a> aimed at expanding AI research and strengthening the university’s computing infrastructure.</p>
<p>While ChatGPT is a prominent AI tool, the term “artificial intelligence” encompasses a broader array of technologies. These include everything from chess-playing algorithms to social media feed mechanisms and image-generation software, many of which are already in use within academic environments.</p>
<p>According to UW President Ed Seidel, AI's utility extends well beyond the classroom. With a rich history in research, including his work as a physicist investigating gravitational waves, Seidel emphasized how AI techniques, like training neural networks, have dramatically accelerated data analysis.</p>
<p>“Identifying patterns in large datasets that previously required extensive computational resources has become much more efficient,” Seidel explained.</p>
<p>The commission will also explore innovative applications of AI, such as “self-driving laboratories.”</p>
<p>“We're in the process of developing labs in fields like chemistry, materials science, and physics that will be operated using robotics and AI techniques,” Seidel added, highlighting the potential for these labs to autonomously conduct experiments and even draft scientific papers based on their findings.</p>
<p>The benefits of AI-assisted research could be particularly significant for Wyoming, as noted by Seidel.</p>
<p>“Efforts are underway to find non-energy uses for <a href="https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/open-spaces/2025-12-12/what-will-it-take-to-rebrand-coal-this-uw-team-is-trying-to-find-out" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>Wyoming coal</u></a>, such as converting it into asphalt,” Seidel said. “AI could help refine the processes involved, leading to optimal results.”</p>
<p>However, the integration of AI is not without its critics. Concerns regarding the excessive delegation of human tasks and ethical dilemmas associated with advanced AI applications have been raised.</p>
<p>In 2026, for instance, the White House utilized AI to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/white-house-ice-protest-arrest-altered-image" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>alter immigration arrest photos</u></a>, and “AI-enhanced” images related to major news stories have raised questions about authenticity. Controversies erupted when Elon Musk's AI application, Grok, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/22/grok-ai-generated-millions-sexualised-images-in-month-research-says" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>produced numerous non-consensual explicit images</u></a>, triggering public outrage and leading to limitations on its functionality.</p>
<p>In academic settings, the accessibility of tools like ChatGPT has led some students to use these platforms to <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/global/2024/06/21/academics-dismayed-flood-chatgpt-written-student-essays" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>generate essays</u></a>, raising ethical questions about authorship. Instructors at UW have also reported **that some students expect AI to assist in course material creation or grading.</u></p>
<p>“It’s crucial to recognize that our students have access to these tools and are likely to use them,” Hamerlinck stated. “Setting clear guidelines around appropriate and ethical practices for using AI is essential.”</p>
<p>Moreover, some observers have voiced concerns that AI technology may be <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/16/nx-s1-5669409/are-we-in-an-ai-bubble-economists-share-the-clues-to-look-for" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>overhyped and overvalued</u></a>, suggesting that we might be experiencing an <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/episode/2026/01/30/are-we-in-an-ai-bubble" class="Link" target="_blank"><u>AI bubble</u></a>. Hamerlinck acknowledged that while hype cycles around technology are common, the presence of genuinely useful AI tools in educational and research contexts is undeniable.</p>
<p>“It’s important to recognize the inevitable hype surrounding new technologies,” he noted. “However, AI is a transformative technology that is here to stay. Its relevance predates ChatGPT and will only continue to grow.”</p>
<p>President Seidel echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for effective and ethical use of AI.</p>
<p>“Our focus must be on how we can best leverage AI tools to enhance the educational experience for our students and faculty,” he said. “Ensuring that the right tools are accessible is paramount.”</p>
<p>To facilitate these efforts, UW is hosting a mini-conference for faculty on February 16, designed to showcase “practical strategies” for integrating AI into their courses. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Coe Library and via Zoom, with limited registration available.</p>
<p>The commission intends to release its inaugural report, titled “UW and AI Today,” by mid-June. This document will provide a strategic framework for UW's AI policies, investments, and best practices for the forthcoming two years.</p>
