AI Reshapes Student Learning and Teaching at Texas Tech

University leaders grapple with both the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence in the classroom

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a stylized laptop computer in shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the integration of artificial intelligence into the modern college experience.The rise of AI in higher education is transforming how students learn and professors teach, with both benefits and risks that universities must carefully navigate.Lubbock Today

Artificial intelligence is already making a significant impact on college campuses like Texas Tech University, changing the way students learn and professors teach. While AI can be a powerful tool to enhance learning by helping students brainstorm ideas, break down complex topics, and improve writing, it also raises concerns about academic integrity if students misuse it to cheat. The university is working to support faculty in adapting to this fast-changing technology, offering training and resources to thoughtfully integrate AI while also addressing ethical decision-making.

Why it matters

As AI becomes more prevalent in higher education, universities must navigate the balance between leveraging the technology's benefits and mitigating the risks it poses to student learning and academic integrity. How Texas Tech approaches this challenge could serve as a model for other institutions grappling with the transformative impact of AI on the college experience.

The details

Suzanne Tapp, the associate vice provost for teaching and learning at Texas Tech, said AI is being used across college campuses to help students in various ways, such as brainstorming ideas, breaking down complex topics, and improving writing. However, this also raises concerns about academic dishonesty, as students may be tempted to use AI to generate content without properly evaluating it. Tapp emphasized that when used thoughtfully and ethically, AI can enhance learning, but faculty must carefully consider their policies around AI use in the classroom based on their specific goals and learning objectives.

  • Texas Tech has an AI working group that is examining how the technology is influencing research, teaching, learning, and operations across the university.

The players

Suzanne Tapp

The associate vice provost for teaching and learning at Texas Tech University, who is leading the university's efforts to support faculty in adapting to the impact of AI on higher education.

Texas Tech University

A public research university located in Lubbock, Texas, that is grappling with the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on student learning and teaching.

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What they’re saying

“In a general sense, AI is changing just about everything we know about teaching and learning, it is a really big force.”

— Suzanne Tapp, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning

“So if a student, whether they are feeling anxious, pressured or whatever their reason is, may go to AI and take the content without evaluating it and misrepresent that content as their own, that's a problem, and that's really inhibiting their ability to learn.”

— Suzanne Tapp, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning

“On the other hand, if a student uses AI as a collaborative tool, maybe that means they use it to refine their work and use it for brainstorming purposes, they use it thoughtfully, and ethically, that can enhance their learning, so it really depends on motivation and intent there.”

— Suzanne Tapp, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning

What’s next

Texas Tech's AI working group will continue to explore how the technology is impacting research, teaching, learning, and operations across the university, with the goal of developing policies and best practices to help faculty and students navigate the evolving landscape of AI in higher education.

The takeaway

As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in college classrooms, universities must strike a careful balance between leveraging the technology's benefits to enhance student learning and addressing the risks it poses to academic integrity. Texas Tech's approach to supporting faculty and students in this transition could serve as a model for other institutions grappling with the transformative impact of AI on higher education.