arao Archives

Rao Speaks About AI and Academic Integrity at Fredericksburg Academy

January 28, 2026 by Guest Author Leave a Comment

Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

On Thursday, Jan 15, , Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Anand Rao spoke to the student body at Fredericksburg Academy at the invitation of the school’s Honor Council.

Rao’s talk focused on the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and academic integrity, offering students a nuanced framework for understanding both the opportunities and the risks associated with emerging AI tools. Drawing on current research, Rao addressed concerns about student overreliance on AI technologies and emphasized the importance of maintaining agency, judgment and accountability in academic work.

During the presentation, Rao outlined the skill sets students will need to thrive in an AI-rich future, including critical thinking, communication, ethical reasoning and the ability to collaborate effectively with intelligent tools rather than defer to them. He also discussed practical strategies for using AI responsibly in academic settings, highlighting transparency, attribution and intentional use as core principles.

A central theme of the talk was the “jagged frontier” of artificial intelligence—the idea that AI capabilities are uneven and context-dependent, excelling in some tasks while failing unexpectedly in others. Rao encouraged students to approach AI neither with fear nor blind trust, but with informed skepticism and reflective judgment.

The event aligned closely with Fredericksburg Academy’s commitment to academic honesty and student leadership, reinforcing the Honor Council’s role in fostering ethical decision-making within the school community.

UMW Hosts Debate to Explore AI Innovation and Copyright Protection

December 3, 2025 by Sarah Mahoney

Students, faculty and staff at the University of Mary Washington gathered last month for a public debate examining a question at the center of ongoing legal and creative disputes – does training artificial intelligence (AI) models on copyrighted works without permission violate copyright law.

Hosted by UMW’s Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, the event brought together many perspectives, with faculty members from computer science and the humanities there to role-play opposing sides of the argument. Following the debate, audience members posed questions and comments and were invited to take a post-debate survey.

“This event provided an excellent opportunity to engage in an important discussion about the intersection of technology, creativity and the law,” said Professor of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao, who is Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts. “It’s a timely and thought-provoking topic.”UMW Librarian Amy Filiatreau opened the program by outlining the legal concepts that framed the discussion, including the four pillars of Fair Use – the purpose of use, the nature of the work, the amount used and the effect on the market. She noted that U.S. policymakers have yet to establish comprehensive regulations for AI tools, leaving decisions to the courts where disputes are currently unfolding.

Arguing the affirmative position, Matthew Franks, adjunct faculty in the Department of Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry, contended that AI companies benefit from copyrighted works in ways that require permission or compensation. He explained how AI companies claim their tools “learn” in a manner similar to humans but said the technology does not create or transform work in the same sense and may reduce opportunities for human creators.

“When an AI corporation uses copyrighted material for the purpose of generating profit, that work must at the very least by used with permission, acknowledged and compensated,” he said.

On the opposing side, Evan Coleman, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, argued that using copyrighted works to train AI models constitutes a transformative use under Fair Use doctrine. Coleman described the training process as the adjustment of statistical patterns rather than the copying of expressive content. He compared current concerns about AI to earlier anxieties surrounding the introduction of the VCR, radio and other disruptive technologies.

“Training is not theft. It’s research. It’s progress,” Coleman said. “We want innovative industries to keep popping up.”

After the debate, audience members commented and raised questions about deepfake technology, the impact of AI mimicking artistic styles and the implications of differing international regulations.

“The goal of the debate was not to resolve anything,” said Rao. “Some of the biggest courts in the land haven’t been able to resolve these issues. But we certainly learned a lot.”

Mary Washington’s Center for AI and the Liberal Arts is dedicated to exploring the implication of AI through the lens of the liberal arts, fostering public understanding and interdisciplinary dialogue.

*AI tools were used to assist in drafting portions of this article; all content has been reviewed and edited by a UMW staff author.

Rao Appears on WFVA Town Talk to Talk AI

December 3, 2025 by Guest Author

Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Anand Rao appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk last month to discuss why the Center was created and why this kind of work is so important right now.

The program digs into how UMW students are using AI, how the technology is already shaping everyday life in the Fredericksburg region, and Rao’s practical tips for anyone who wants to get started with AI. Listen to the full episode from WFVA.

Rao Spotlighted Across Multiple Platforms Discussing AI and the Liberal Arts

November 13, 2025 by Guest Author

Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Anand Rao was recently spotlighted in wide-ranging AI coverage.

On two Fredericksburg-based podcasts Rao discussed UMW’s leadership in AI education and the evolving role of the liberal arts in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

He joined UMW alumnus Kevin Hughes of Stack Infrastructure on The New Dominion Podcast for an episode titled “AI and the Future of UMW.” The conversation explored the rise of data centers in Virginia, the accelerating impact of generative AI, and why the liberal arts are increasingly essential in shaping ethical, responsible innovation. Listen here.

He was also a guest on Coffee Talk, the monthly podcast of the Fredericksburg Free Press, hosted by Joey LoMonaco. The discussion highlighted the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, how UMW is preparing students to navigate and shape AI-driven workplaces, and what emerging technologies mean for human creativity, communication, and culture. Listen here.

Other media mentions and events for Rao include:

How to Cultivate AI Literacy in the Classroom (Oxford University Press)
Rao joined Stefan Bauschard, AI education policy consultant and adjunct instructor at UMW, as a featured presenter in a national masterclass hosted by Oxford University Press (OUP) titled “How to Cultivate AI Literacy in the Classroom.” The free, one-hour session brought together educators from across the country who are navigating the growing influence of generative AI on teaching and learning. Rao and Bauschard discussed strategies for helping students critically evaluate AI-generated content, integrate AI constructively into coursework, and maintain academic integrity in an environment where powerful tools are widely available. Listen here.

At Univ. of Mary Washington, an AI-Relevant Curriculum Gives Both Students and Faculty an Upper Hand (AI Data Press)
UMW’s leadership was featured in AI Data Press, a national publication covering innovation in artificial intelligence and workforce development. The article highlights insights from Rao on preparing students for a rapidly changing professional landscape shaped by generative AI. Rather than aiming to make curricula “AI-proof,” Rao advocates for making them “AI-relevant,” emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, research and ethical reasoning — skills that help graduates adapt throughout their careers. The piece showcases UMW initiatives, including AI literacy programs, partnerships with local schools and classroom practices that integrate AI responsibly. Rao also notes that understanding AI’s societal implications — such as environmental costs and data bias — is essential for informed decision-making. Read more.

Bauschard Contributes to National Webinar on AI Literacy

November 13, 2025 by Guest Author

Adjunct Instructor Communication and Digital Studies Stefan Bauschard

Stefan Bauschard, AI education policy consultant and adjunct instructor at UMW, joined Anand Rao, professor of communication and director of UMW’s Center for AI and the Liberal Arts as featured presenters in a national masterclass hosted by Oxford University Press (OUP) titled “How to Cultivate AI Literacy in the Classroom.”

The free, one-hour session held Thursday, Oct. 30 brought together educators from across the country who are navigating the growing influence of generative AI on teaching and learning. Bauschard and Rao discussed strategies for helping students critically evaluate AI-generated content, integrate AI constructively into coursework, and maintain academic integrity in an environment where powerful tools are widely available.

The presenters also introduced OUP’s new AI Literacy Module, designed by Rao and Bauschard to help instructors build student understanding of how AI systems work, what their limitations are, and how to use them responsibly. The event highlighted UMW’s leadership in national conversations about AI and the liberal arts. “Our goal is to prepare students to be thoughtful, ethical, and capable participants in an AI-shaped world,” Rao noted during the session.

A recording of the webinar is available for those who were unable to attend.

Next AI Event, Nov. 11

October 30, 2025 by Guest Author

Mark your calendars for NotebookLM Webinar: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m., via Zoom

How can Google’s NotebookLM help you and your students organize sources, summarize information, and improve the writing process – without replacing meaningful academic work?

Join me on Tuesday, November 11 at 12:30 p.m. for a short, hands-on webinar where we’ll:

Walk through NotebookLM’s core features
Demonstrate how to build an AI-powered “notebook” from course readings
Explore ways to scaffold research, note-taking, and drafting

Zoom (12:30pm ET, Tues Nov 11):
https://umw-sso.zoom.us/j/85072833575

The session will be recorded and posted on the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts website:
https://academics.umw.edu/center-for-ai/

Questions? Visit the Center for AI & the Liberal Arts website for details and access information.

Rao and Bauschard Help Launch AI Literacy Module with Oxford University Press

September 4, 2025 by Guest Author

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communications and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Stefan Bauschard of Union College and adjunct instructor for this fall’s UMW course DGST 301N: AI in Society

The University of Mary Washington’s commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven world has gained international recognition. Anand Rao, professor of communication and director of UMW’s new Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, has co-authored a groundbreaking AI Literacy Module now available in all Oxford Insight courses from Oxford University Press (OUP).

The module was developed by Rao along with Stefan Bauschard of Union College and adjunct instructor for this Fall’s UMW course DGST 301N: AI in Society. The module responds to one of higher education’s most pressing questions: how can students learn to engage critically and ethically with generative AI? The interactive module includes short explainer videos, assessments, and course-specific activities that teach students the fundamentals of generative AI, academic integrity, effective prompting, and critical thinking. It is designed to help students not only navigate AI tools in their coursework but also apply those skills throughout their education and future careers.

The AI Literacy Module is available as an optional add-on in Oxford Insight’s all-in-one courseware and can be introduced at the start of the semester or prior to AI-related assignments. It provides a foundation for students across disciplines to understand and apply AI responsibly.

More information about the module can be found on Oxford University Press’s blog under “AI Literacy Module Arrives in Oxford Insight to Guide Students & Instructors.”

Rao Presents at Ai4 Conference in Las Vegas

August 20, 2025 by Guest Author

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao gave an invited presentation titled “AI and the Humanities: Through the Lens of AI Pluralism” at the Ai4 conference in Las Vegas this month. Ai4 is one of the largest AI conferences in the country with more than 12,000 attendees. Rao’s presentation focused on how higher ed, and in particular the humanities and liberal arts, can not only adapt to the challenges presented by AI, but also help lead the development of aligned and responsible AI in the future. Rao’s presentation was one of just eight presentations included on the education track.

Rao Presents on AI Literacy at Regional Teacher Workshop

August 6, 2025 by Guest Author

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao presented “Building Chatbots for AI Literacy” at the AI Ready RVA Teacher & AI Summer Workshop in Richmond. The two-day event brought together educators focused on integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms in responsible and engaging ways. Rao shared insights from his work with Playlab AI and praised the workshop for its commitment to supporting teacher development.

: Rao gave a presentation titled “Building Chatbots for AI Literacy”

: Rao presented at the AI Ready RVA Teacher & AI Summer Workshop in Richmond

: Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Rao Panelist on ‘AI in the Workplace’ at Chamber Event

July 23, 2025 by Guest Author

Featured speakers and panelists at the Chamber’s AI in the Workplace workshop, including UMW’s Anand Rao

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao was a recently a panelist at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Congress’s workshop titled “AI in the Workplace,” which explored both the promise and practical applications of this evolving technology. Key topics included skills workers should develop to stay relevant, how small businesses can get started with AI and how they can empower their workforce to use it. Read more.