HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has received a $125,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can reshape teaching, learning, and career preparation at the institution. This funding will support the University in assessing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, as well as planning initiatives to address these issues and preparing for a subsequent implementation grant from Lilly Endowment.
The grant is part of Lilly Endowment’s Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education initiative, which aims to assist Indiana colleges and universities in navigating the rapid evolution of technology within educational settings and its impact on students’ lives. The funds will be allocated throughout the calendar year of 2026, allowing the University to engage in comprehensive planning and strategy development.
Dr. Becky Benjamin, a professor of psychology at Huntington University, will play a pivotal role in the planning process. She emphasizes that AI offers significant potential to enhance both teaching and learning experiences. “We all know that AI technologies have reached a level of sophistication in recent years that have allowed them to significantly impact all of our lives,” she said. Her enthusiasm for the grant reflects the potential for the University to leverage AI in meaningful ways.
Dr. Benjamin highlighted that some of the grant funding will be allocated for hiring additional faculty to alleviate her teaching responsibilities. This move will enable her to dedicate more time to collaborating with various teams and individuals as they formulate Huntington University’s AI strategy. Furthermore, the grant will fund consultant engagements, training for key stakeholders, and participation in relevant conferences, as well as collaborations with regional partners as part of the application for further funding from Lilly Endowment.
While opinions on AI’s societal impact can be divided, Dr. Benjamin views it as an opportunity to deepen the influence individuals can have in serving the community. “Modern Artificial Intelligence has a 75-year history,” she noted. “It has taken a while for it to progress to a level where it can reasonably be used as a substitute for much human output in the real world, but clearly it has reached that level in many domains.” As a Christian institution of higher education, Huntington University believes that human beings are created in the image of God, which informs their perspective on how technology can be employed to either foster flourishing or contribute to decline.
Dr. Benjamin elaborated on the importance of understanding influential technologies and how they can promote societal well-being. “We need to understand the technologies that are influential in our societies and discern if and how they can be used to promote the flourishing of people and all of God’s creation,” she said. As future professionals, students must grasp how AI will play a role in their careers, relationships, and communities. The University aims to guide students in navigating these complexities while employing AI to drive more efficient systems, allowing educators to focus on creative and relational aspects of their work.
The planning grant represents a significant step for Huntington University as it seeks to integrate AI into its educational framework. As institutions face the ongoing challenges of technological integration, the University’s proactive approach could serve as a model for others in higher education. The outcomes of this initiative may contribute to shaping how future generations engage with technology in meaningful and ethical ways.
See also
Andrew Ng Advocates for Coding Skills Amid AI Evolution in Tech
AI’s Growing Influence in Higher Education: Balancing Innovation and Critical Thinking
AI in English Language Education: 6 Principles for Ethical Use and Human-Centered Solutions
Ghana’s Ministry of Education Launches AI Curriculum, Training 68,000 Teachers by 2025
57% of Special Educators Use AI for IEPs, Raising Legal and Ethical Concerns
