Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

New course on information strategies for using AI launched

January 8th, 2026

In fall 2025, Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies launched a new course, ILS 395: Information Strategies for Using AI, designed to help students engage with artificial intelligence through an information literacy and AI literacy lens. The course emphasized not only how AI tools function, but how to research, evaluate, test, and ethically use AI and its outputs in academic and professional settings.

A core component of the course was a multi-phase, project-based assignment. Students identified an industry-specific problem or opportunity connected to their field of study or career goals and selected an AI tool to address it. They evaluated the tool by reviewing vendor documentation such as privacy policies, training data disclosures, and accessibility statements; testing accuracy, bias, and consistency; and examining broader social, ethical, legal, and environmental implications through stakeholder analysis and risk assessment. The project culminated in a group final presentation.

Student presentations showcased a diverse range of tools and applications, including Zapier for workflow automation and data processing, Google Gemini for data cleaning and analysis, Copilot for recruitment and application automation, and ChatGPT and DALL·E for the restoration and visualization of archaeological artifacts.

Assistant Professor Zoe Mayhook highlighted that when students select and critically evaluate AI tools that meaningfully connect to their disciplines and career interests, they develop practical skills that are readily transferable to real-world settings. Clinical Assistant Professor Jing Lu emphasized that many students are already being asked to use AI in internships and shared that the course helps build confidence not just in using AI tools, but in making informed decisions about when and how to apply them.

Student feedback reflected a shift toward a more balanced understanding of AI, recognizing both its potential and its limitations, along with increased confidence in evaluating tools and identifying bias.

Following its successful pilot, the course has recently been approved as a permanent offering under the new designation ILS 231, with future courses planned for the summer and fall 2026 semesters. Students can also still enroll in the Spring section, which will continue to run under ILS 395 designation in the interim.