CSM AI Task Force Working Towards Ethical, Strategic AI Integration

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) AI Task Force is developing policies to guide the use of AI and its strategic integration into academic and administrative tasks.

Formed in spring 2025, the AI Task Force is made up of CSM faculty, staff, and administrators to research AI applications with a focus on ethics, security, privacy, policy, environmental factors, and curriculum.

Task Force Co-Chair Valarie Burks, Vice President of Information Management and Technology, said this work is an important step towards ensuring the college uses AI responsibly.

“When used thoughtfully, AI has potential to reshape how we learn, educate, and operate in the workforce,” Burks said. “This Task Force is focused on embracing the opportunities AI provides to better serve our students, faculty, and staff, and doing so in an ethical, secure, and strategic way.”

In partnership with the Michelle Simpson Center for Teaching and Learning, the Task Force is expanding professional development and training opportunities for CSM students, faculty, and staff. Workshops, webinars, and discussions are hosted throughout the year covering key topics such as challenges, concerns, and techniques to utilize AI for enhanced teaching and learning.

CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson emphasized the importance of equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.

“AI is reshaping every industry our students will enter, and we have a responsibility to prepare them for that reality,” Dr. Wilson said. “At CSM, we are not reacting to change, we are helping to shape it by integrating AI in ways that are thoughtful, ethical, and grounded in our mission to expand opportunity and drive economic mobility.”

In January, staff hosted Balancing Technology and The Human Connection, a program focused on using AI to streamline mechanical, routine tasks to make space for exploration, discovery, and a productive learning and working environment.

In March, CSM hosted a workshop on prompt engineering, which offered guidance on how to effectively interact with AI for the best results. Other workshops have covered topics including scheduling, data analytics, and misinformation.

Task Force Co-Chair Dr. Stephanie McCaslin, Dean of Learning Resources, underscored the importance of human perspectives to responsibly use AI. She said the positive feedback received from workshop attendees reflects an institutional commitment to thoughtfully and effectively implement new technology.

“While AI is a powerful tool, it does not replace human experience or judgement,” McCaslin said. “The Task Force is working to build a culture of AI literacy to ensure students, faculty, and staff can balance this technology with human expertise, and navigate an AI world effectively and ethically.”

In February, the Task Force opened a survey to learn more about how students, faculty, and staff are engaging with AI, including their current usage, awareness, concerns, and support needs. This feedback will inform ongoing policy development and future training opportunities.

CSM will continue offering workshops and webinars to advance AI literacy. The Task Force expects to have more information on an institutional AI policy for the 2026-2027 academic year.