Recognizing the potential affordances–and the many potential pitfalls and ethical concerns–posed by generative artificial intelligence to language education and research, the Language Institute is hosting a series of events and other forms of programming to provide a forum for UW–Madison language educators and researchers to critically engage with the affordances of generative AI.
Plans in 2025-26 include:
- A series on generative AI and research in language studies
- A brownbag on October 15, Connect and Share: Experimenting with AI in Language Teaching, for recipients of Spring 2025 instructional awards to share the outcomes of their projects to pilot an instructional activity or develop instructional materials using generative AI
In 2024-25, this initiative focused on AI and language teaching and learning:
- A semester-long non-credit seminar for UW–Madison language educators, Generative AI and the Future of Language Education, based on readings and other assignments, lightning presentations, and guest lectures (Fall 2024)
- An Instructional Awards program for participants in the Fall 2024 seminar to pilot an instructional activity or develop instructional materials using generative AI, and then to share the outcomes of those projects with other language educators (Fall 2025)
- In Spring 2025:
- A hands-on workshop, Artificial Intelligence and Universal Design for Learning: Designing Language Learning for All , for UW–Madison+ language educators
- A brownbag, Generative AI and Writing: A Conversation with Emily Hall, for faculty and students affiliated with the SLA PhD Program and other UW-Madison educators