Enhancing AI Literacy for Undergrad Engineers and Tech Students

Published Date : 15/10/2025 

Aditya Johri, a Professor at George Mason University, is leading a project to develop AI literacy among undergraduate engineering and technology students through case-based instruction. 

Aditya Johri, a Professor of Information Sciences and Technology and the Dr. Lawrence Cranberg Endowed Research Fellow at the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), has secured funding for a groundbreaking project titled “Developing Artificial Intelligence Literacy Among Undergraduate Engineering and Technology Students Through Case-Based Instruction.”

This initiative is designed to serve the national interest by enhancing undergraduate education, better preparing future engineering and computing professionals to effectively use and develop artificial intelligence (AI). The project's significance lies in its innovative approach, which uses situated case studies to help students understand the complexity of AI, the varying requirements of different stakeholders, and to foster critical reasoning about AI applications.

Through early exposure in first-year courses, the project aims to develop transferable mindsets and skills that students can apply throughout their careers. This will advance their understanding of how to prepare a workforce capable of AI innovation, thereby supporting the nation’s economic well-being.

The project’s goals include the development and implementation of six case studies that focus on familiar AI applications such as career preparedness, campus sustainability, autonomous vehicles, and mental health systems. These case studies will be created using a Situated AI Literacy framework. The scope of the project will encompass implementation across first-year engineering and computing courses at Youngstown State University and George Mason University, serving over 500 students during the project period. Additionally, the project will disseminate its findings through faculty development workshops, reaching 10 external institutions.

The methodology employs role-play case study discussions, integrating three key competencies: complex systems cognition, perspectival understanding, and critical thinking. These competencies are crucial for students to grasp the multi-faceted nature of AI and its implications in various fields.

The project plans to use a mixed-methods evaluation approach, including pre- and post-surveys, concept maps, discussion transcripts, and focus groups, to assess student learning gains across these elements. The research will investigate how the case studies support the development of multi-level AI understanding, stakeholder perspective-taking, and critical assessment of AI benefits and limitations.

The National Science Foundation’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (NSF IUSE: EDU) Program supports this project, which falls under the Engaged Student Learning track. This program aims to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students by creating, exploring, and implementing promising practices and tools.

Johri received $430,000 from the National Science Foundation for this project, which began in October 2025 and will conclude in late September 2028.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university, located near Washington, D.C. With over 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states, Mason is recognized for its innovation, entrepreneurship, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. For more information, visit gmu.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main goal of Aditya Johri's project?

A: The main goal of Aditya Johri's project is to develop AI literacy among undergraduate engineering and technology students through case-based instruction, preparing them to use and develop AI effectively in their future careers.

Q: How will the project be implemented?

A: The project will be implemented by developing and implementing six case studies focusing on familiar AI applications, using a Situated AI Literacy framework. These case studies will be integrated into first-year engineering and computing courses at Youngstown State University and George Mason University.

Q: What are the key competencies that the project aims to develop in students?

A: The project aims to develop three key competencies in students: complex systems cognition, perspectival understanding, and critical thinking.

Q: How will the project's success be evaluated?

A: The project's success will be evaluated using a mixed-methods approach, including pre- and post-surveys, concept maps, discussion transcripts, and focus groups to assess student learning gains.

Q: What is the funding source and duration of the project?

A: The project is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with $430,000. The funding began in October 2025 and will end in late September 2028. 

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