Human Learning in the Age of AI
FYSEMR 74F
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
In what ways can generative AI models, like ChatGPT, be a useful educational tool to accelerate and enhance your learning? We’ll overview how these models work, and the surprisingly simple principles underlying their remarkable capacities. We’ll dive into impact of AI on student learning right now, drawing on psychological and neuroscience insights into how we humans learn and remember things. We’ll think through the ethical considerations of AI use in education going forward. In parallel, each week we will all try out different generative AI tools for enhancing academic skills--from synthesizing written material and writing to coding--and share these in group discussions and presentations. By the end of the class, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how these AI systems are working, a suite of techniques and tools that you can use to enhance your own learning, and some broader ideas about how human learning might change in the era of large language models and generative AI.
Class Notes
First-Year Seminars are available only to first-year students. You may apply to both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 First-Year Seminars via the FYS lottery between July 7 and August 7, 2025 at 11:59PM-midnight.
You may apply to as many seminars each term as you would like, but we recommend you apply to at least six in fall and three in spring.
As part of your application, you must provide a brief statement on why you are interested in each seminar. You will be notified of lottery results for both fall and spring seminars at 5 pm on Mon, August 11. If you are unsuccessful in the lottery, you may still join any seminar with open seats. A list of open seminars and instructions on next steps will be available on the First-Year Seminar Program website August 11 at 12 Noon.
Not Available for Cross Registration
