Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

Zoeanna Mayhook invited to serve on inaugural AI Academy planning committee

June 25th, 2025

Purdue Libraries Assistant Professor Zoeanna Mayhook has been invited to serve on the planning committee for the inaugural AI Academy, offered through the Purdue Innovation Hub. This week-long experience, scheduled for August 11-15, is designed to help faculty across campus build the skills and confidence to creatively and critically integrate AI tools into their teaching practices.

As a member of the planning committee, Mayhook brings an information literacy perspective to the conversation. “AI has certainly streamlined search and information synthesis in many ways,” she explained, “but now more than ever, it’s important to understand how these tools function, what data and sources they draw from, what they do well, and where they fall short. I take an AI-positive approach in my teaching, and I’m genuinely excited about what these tools can do, but I also want us all to stay sharp and thoughtful.”

Mayhook emphasized that even when AI-generated content appears credible, that doesn’t guarantee it is accurate or complete. Evaluating AI outputs requires a different approach than traditional methods used for human-authored sources. Developing the skills and strategies to critically assess AI-generated information will help faculty and students adapt to the evolving roles and expectations surrounding AI use in both academic and professional environments.

Through her involvement in AI Academy, Mayhook is looking forward to sharing best practices with colleagues across disciplines and learning alongside the planning team. “It’s an amazing team putting this together, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” she added. “It’s shaping up to be a fantastic experience this August.”