UNM Student Calls for Clear AI Rules in College Classrooms

Junior says mixed messages on classroom AI use leave students confused about expectations and real learning.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:26am

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A detailed, futuristic illustration of a university classroom filled with glowing, neon-lit AI-powered devices and infrastructure, conceptually representing the blending of technology and education.As AI becomes increasingly integrated into higher education, colleges must provide clear guidelines to ensure students learn effectively and develop the right skills.Albuquerque Today

A University of New Mexico junior studying statistics and English is calling for clearer guidelines from professors on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. The student says some professors encourage AI use, while others ban it entirely, leaving students unsure of the appropriate boundaries and how to best prepare for the workforce.

Why it matters

As AI becomes more prevalent in education and the workplace, colleges need to provide clear policies and expectations around its use to ensure students are learning the material thoroughly and developing the right skills for their future careers.

The details

The student says in their statistics class, the professor encourages using AI tools like Copilot, but doesn't specify the appropriate boundaries. In a creative writing class, the professor banned AI use in student stories. The student is frustrated by the mixed messages, unsure whether to use AI to complete assignments and potentially learn the material less thoroughly, or refrain from using it and risk falling behind compared to peers who do utilize the technology.

  • This semester, the student is taking a statistics class and a creative writing class at the University of New Mexico.

The players

Aaron Sheffield

A junior at the University of New Mexico studying statistics and English.

University of New Mexico

The public research university where the student is enrolled.

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What they’re saying

“Yet, in class, it seems to be a taboo subject. My teachers rarely mention it, even in their syllabuses. They often issue only blanket statements about 'academic dishonesty,' but that has become much more complicated in today's world.”

— Aaron Sheffield, UNM Student

“The most obvious answer to me is that I should only use it when I have questions and should try everything else by myself. I would learn the material more thoroughly that way, while still learning the technology.”

— Aaron Sheffield, UNM Student

What’s next

The student hopes professors will provide clearer guidelines on the appropriate use of AI in their classes, whether that means allowing it for certain tasks but not others, or banning it entirely. The student believes this clarity will help ensure all students are learning the material thoroughly and developing the right skills for their future careers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for colleges to proactively address the role of AI in the classroom and provide clear, consistent policies to guide students on its appropriate use. Without such guidance, students are left to make their own decisions, potentially undermining the learning objectives of the courses.