Artificial Intelligence at CPS
(Background image was AI-Generated in Co-Pilot with the following prompt: A modern abstract image that is inspired by human creativity made possible by AI with red and black as the dominant colors)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we work, play, and reimagine opportunity. But human ingenuity is essential for realizing that transformative potential. The College of Professional Studies is dedicated to equipping our students, faculty and staff, and the communities and organizations that we serve to help ensure AI is a technology that advances creativity and innovation. With a human-centric approach, we are forging new ground in exploring best practices in teaching, research and skill-building that have impact in the lives that make up our diverse and dynamic community.
AI in Professional Practice Badge
Description:
This 3-module program takes place over 10 weeks. Each 90-minute, bi-weekly session engages you in synchronous online learning facilitated by expert CPS faculty members demonstrating AI tools and approaches and their applications across a variety of professional settings. During alternating weeks, you can join optional, 1-hour drop-in sessions to receive input or feedback on AI-supported projects in your specific context.
The time you commit beyond the classroom depends on your desire to engage with AI, and understand how it can be used to support and enhance work and learning in ethical and responsible ways.
This $50 USD badging program will equip learners with key tools needed to navigate the evolving landscape of AI.
AI in Professional Practice Badge
A digital badge is an online credential that showcases your learning and skills in a specific area. You can share digital badges like this one on your resume, LinkedIn profile, or portfolio to highlight your accomplishments. Potential employers view the badge to see the skills you’ve developed and the criteria you met to earn it, making it a credible way to demonstrate your achievements.
To earn the digital badge, you must attend a total of 6 Zoom sessions as follows:
- Sessions 1, 2 and 3 from Module I: Core | AI Literacy (all 3 sessions are required), plus
- Three (3) sessions of your choosing from Modules 2 and/or 3
Module I: Core | AI Literacy
Session One: AI Landscape (Instructors: Joe Reilly and Yvonne Leung) | March 12th at 3pm ET
Session Two: AI Landscape Hackathon (Instructors: Joe Reilly and Yvonne Leung) | March 26th at 3pm ET
Session Three: GenAI and Prompt Engineering (Instructor: Balazs Szelenyi) | April 9th at 3pm ET
Module II: AI in the Professions
Session Four: Addressing Real World Challenges and Seizing Opportunities (Instructor: Prashant Mittal) | April 23rd at 3pm ET
Session Five: Safe and Responsible AI Implementation and Ethics (Instructor: Umesh Hodeghatta) | May 7th at 3pm ET
Session Six: Using AI to Enhance your Human Intelligence (Instructors: Ilka Kostka, Joan Giblin, Chris Unger) | May 21st at 3pm ET
Module III: AI in Technology
Session Seven: AI in Cybersecurity (Instructor: Ganesh Subramanian) | April 24th at 3pm ET
Session Eight: Machine Learning (ML); Deep Learning (DL); and, Graph Neural Network (GNN) (Instructor: John Wilder) | May 8th at 3pm ET
Session Nine: AI in Robotics and Genetic Algorithms (Instructor: Shachi Winton) | May 22nd at 3pm ET
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
AI-Integrated CPS Programs
AI is transforming how we teach and learn, opening up opportunities for personalized and adaptive education tailored to individual needs. At CPS, AI tools enhance the curriculum by analyzing student performance and offering real-time feedback to improve outcomes. From AI-driven tutoring systems that provide tailored support to predictive analytics that help identify students who may need additional resources, we are committed to using AI to foster success.
AI Voices: A series of conversations to support the development of AI best practices for CPS faculty and staff.
Everyday AI | Thursday, February 27 | 12pm – 12:45pm ET
This first session led by Balazs Szelenyi (Teaching Professor in the CPS-International Programs, Boston) will provide practical everyday ways you can use AI to help you in everything from planning what’s for dinner to planning for retirement.
Accelerating AI | Thursday, March 27 | 12pm – 12:45pm ET
This second session led by Prashant Mittal (Professor of the Practice and Director of Professional Programs CPS, Portland/Maine) will build upon introductory understanding of AI for more advanced application in the classroom and beyond.
Note: PT faculty are welcome to participate in voluntary virtual and in-person activities coordinated by CPS to promote community and enhance personal and professional development. Participation in this conversation is completely voluntary and is not a required activity as part of your employment with CPS.
Research and Development
Our faculty and students are at the forefront of groundbreaking research in AI, addressing some of the most pressing questions of our time. Through interdisciplinary projects, CPS explores the ethical implications of AI, advances machine learning applications, and develops innovative solutions to real-world problems. We collaborate with industry leaders, government agencies, and other academic institutions to push the boundaries of AI research.
Human-Centric AI
At CPS, we are committed to a human-centric approach to AI, ensuring that technology serves to uplift and empower individuals and communities. Our initiatives prioritize ethical AI development, addressing issues such as bias, inclusivity, and transparency. Through projects that tackle societal challenges—ranging from healthcare advancements to improving accessibility—we focus on creating AI applications that have a meaningful, positive impact.
Faculty Engagement: Developing A Shared Approach to Equitable Gen AI Use
Over the course of a year, faculty from the Graduate School of Education convened a series of “Faculty Engagement Sessions” to share AI practices, discuss areas of opportunity and concern, develop a set of guidelines, and identify specific junctures in the doctoral program’s curriculum that would be optimal for introducing and preparing students for appropriate use of generative AI within their doctoral work.
NEWS
CPS AI GUIDANCE
The College of Professional Studies’ goal is to ethically and responsibly embed Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) in our work: New Product Development, Curriculum Development, Teaching, Assessments, and Workplace Tasks. Whether you are embarking on your journey to implement AI into teaching, curriculum development, assessments, the development of CPS administrative and learning products, or simply in work-related tasks, this document will support you with guiding principles and standards (note that University policies supersede this document).
Developing A Shared Approach to Equitable Gen AI Use
Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems (April 2025)
