Generative AI has become deeply embedded in campus systems through updates to LMS platforms, research databases, and accessibility tools, writes Marc Watkins (University of Mississippi). Watkins argues that the lack of transparency around this process of AI adoption bypasses shared governance and leaves faculty unprepared for the impact on teaching, research, and student privacy. To navigate this evolving landscape, he offers practical steps for faculty to stay informed, including conducting quarterly “AI audits,” creating shared resources, and updating course policies to reflect AI’s presence. “Doing nothing guarantees you will keep playing catch-up to tech updates you never asked for,” Watkins writes, urging faculty to lead with curiosity and clarity.
