At the final Northern Exposure session of the semester, Dr. Biagio Palese delivered an engaging talk on how educators can thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into teaching. His presentation, “Bridging Minds and Machines: A Balanced Approach to AI for Teaching,” highlighted both the promise and the pitfalls of AI in the classroom, grounded in his research on human–AI interaction and design science.

Dr. Palese’s work focuses on listening to users, designing solutions around their needs, and extracting practical principles that can guide wider implementation. This people-first philosophy extends to his teaching, where AI supports iterative learning, reduces barriers to participation, and creates more dynamic learning environments.

Dr. Palese shared examples of AI-enabled tools he uses in his courses, including interactive learning platforms that adapt to student needs and a 24/7 coding feedback system that gives real-time guidance. These tools help faculty see exactly where students struggle and adjust instruction accordingly.

Still, challenges remain. Scaling prototypes into real courses, ensuring accuracy, preventing overreliance, and maintaining fairness in grading are persistent hurdles. Dr. Palese sees consistent success when AI implementations have a clear purpose, maintain human oversight, empower students, and remain transparent.

Meaningful AI integration begins with identifying real problems and designing solutions that center the needs of people rather than the technology itself. It requires honesty about what AI can and cannot do, a willingness to experiment openly, and a commitment to sharing what we learn along the way. To use AI effectively, we must maintain a balanced mindset—recognizing both its strengths and its limitations and approach it as a tool that can genuinely enhance learning when applied with care and intention.