Exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education: UT Austin Partners with Grammarly for Education

The University of Texas at Austin Partners with Grammarly for Education to Explore Generative AI in Academia

The University of Texas at Austin has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Grammarly for Education to investigate the adoption of generative artificial intelligence in a broad academic setting. This project, led by UT’s Office of Academic Technology and in alignment with the University’s Year of AI initiative, aims to explore the potential of AI-enabled writing assistants in enhancing teaching and learning experiences.

The project will be divided into two phases. The first phase will involve testing Grammarly’s generative AI assistant with students, faculty, and staff. Participants will interact with the AI assistant and design activities relevant to their own work areas. Faculty and staff will then test these activities with students and peers. In the second phase, faculty will create detailed lesson plans to engage students in generative AI learning activities, all of which will be vetted to meet UT’s academic standards.

Art Markman, vice provost for academic affairs at UT Austin, expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “We strive to be involved in projects that will influence higher education on and beyond the Forty Acres. This is a chance to demonstrate how to use generative AI as a positive source for education, teach responsibility to our students, and engage an industry leader to improve our understanding of classroom AI.”

All participants in the project will receive a short-term Grammarly for Education pilot license and training on how to use the AI assistant. Mary Rose Craycraft, head of customer success at Grammarly for Education, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We look forward to working with UT to develop best practices that can scale responsible AI adoption across the sector.”

Projects like the Grammarly adoption undergo careful assessment and vetting by the Office of Academic Technology through a Learning Technology Adoption Process (LTAP). This process ensures that the University only adopts tools that align with its principles of effective teaching and information security regulations.

Julie Schell, assistant vice provost of academic technology, emphasized the importance of evidence-based decision-making in driving effective and responsible AI use at UT Austin. She stated, “We are very excited to work with Grammarly to engage the UT community and create generative AI activities and lesson plans that can be scaled with any generative AI tool.”

To participate in the Grammarly project, interested individuals can sign up on the project webpage. For any additional questions, please contact oat@utexas.edu. This collaboration between UT Austin and Grammarly for Education represents a significant step towards integrating AI technology into academia in a responsible and impactful manner.