Drake University Develops New AI Curriculum Framework
The committee aims to define AI literacy standards across departments without imposing universal restrictions.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Should schools restrict the use of artificial intelligence for student assignments?
In April 2026, Drake University President Marty Martin established a committee to develop an artificial intelligence curriculum strategy. The group, which includes university deans and faculty, is currently tasked with creating learning standards rather than implementing a blanket policy.
Why it matters
The effort aims to address concerns regarding the outsourcing of student work to AI while balancing technological integration. By rejecting a universal rubric, the university seeks to tailor AI literacy to specific disciplines through a one-year collaborative process.
The committee is operating on a one-year mandate to define AI literacy within existing Information Literacy Areas of Inquiry. This benchmark period is set to conclude in Spring 2027, at which point the proposed framework will face review by the Faculty Senate and curriculum committee.
The players
Marty Martin
President of Drake University who initiated the formal review of AI in the institution's curriculum.
Keren Forenza
Chief Information Technology Officer at Drake University who co-leads the AI curriculum committee.
Tim Urness
Computer science professor at Drake University who co-leads the AI curriculum committee.
The details
The committee is organized into subcommittees that evaluate how AI tools integrate into student workflows and academic output. Led by Chief Information Technology Officer Keren Forenza and computer science professor Tim Urness, the group focuses on setting proficiency standards rather than enforcement. The process avoids a top-down, university-wide rubric, favoring instead a flexible approach that allows departments to manage AI usage based on specific pedagogical needs.
Timeline
April 2026: President Marty Martin formed the artificial intelligence committee.
Spring 2027: The committee is scheduled to complete its one-year series of meetings.
The Tech Race
Drake University's initiative follows the academic trend of integrating AI literacy into traditional Information Literacy Areas of Inquiry. Unlike institutions pursuing immediate, restrictive bans, this committee seeks to establish a framework that mirrors the adoption cycles of prior digital research tools.
Students and faculty can expect a formal review of the committee's recommendations following the completion of meetings in Spring 2027. Future implementation will depend on the subsequent approval process involving the Faculty Senate and the university curriculum committee.
The takeaway
The committee's refusal to adopt a universal rubric signals a shift toward discipline-specific AI adoption in higher education. Observers should track the upcoming Faculty Senate review in Spring 2027 for the final language on institutional AI usage and student proficiency requirements.
Further reading
For broader trends in academic integration, see our Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times-Delphic.
Live Poll
Should schools restrict the use of artificial intelligence for student assignments?
