AI Brings New Questions into Bellarmine Classrooms
By Niki Kollaritsch
October 20, 2026
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – From brainstorming ideas to reviewing class material and improving writing, artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common tool for college students.
At Bellarmine University, students and professors are learning how to navigate a technology that can make academic work more efficient but also raises questions about learning, academic integrity and how much assistance is too much.
Students across different grade levels say AI tools such as ChatGPT have become part of the college experience, although how they use them varies.
“I use ChatGPT or Gemini, and I think AI is one of the best things created,” Ramiyah Sutton, a sophomore health administration major, said. She also said that she does not like taking the time to do unnecessary stuff and she loves that AI can do those tasks for her.
For students, AI can provide assistance with tasks such as brainstorming, explaining difficult concepts, organizing information or reviewing their writing. But the growing availability of the technology also raises concerns about students becoming dependent on it rather than developing skills themselves.
“I think AI has a lot of potential to do good, especially for businesses, it can help reduce cost and make production and operation more efficient, but at the same time at can also be used for ill, especially if you are at Bellarmine and using it to cheat on assignments,” said Zachary Sutherland, a senior studying business administration.
Some Bellarmine students said they weigh their options and think critically about the areas in which AI is useful or maybe not as useful for them.
“For my business classes, I use it as a tool to help me with studying, but as a design, arts and technology major, I try to stay away from it because the classes are more artistic, and I feel like AI takes away personal aspect,” said Bella Sidio, a senior DAT and business administration major.
However, Sidio said she has witnessed many students using AI in inappropriate ways.
“I believe many students, and I actually know of some personally, who use AI to cheat in classes,” Sidio said.
The distinction between using AI as a learning tool and allowing it to do the work for a student has become an important issue in higher education.
“I had a very positive impression of AI initially, and as I have learned more about it, I’m still very much impressed, but I think lately I have also become a bit more anxious about it,” Adam Elias, assistant provost for online and innovative learning, said.
Bellarmine's Code of Conduct prohibits academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating and misrepresentation of a student's work. As AI becomes more common, students must also navigate expectations from professors about how the technology may be used on individual assignments.
“I believe the best guideline for how faculty should deal with AI in the classrooms is by addressing the appropriate AI use in every class,” Elias said.
Elias has been involved in conversations surrounding artificial intelligence and its role in higher education.
“I am very much in the middle, I would say I do not feel entirely good or bad about it,” Elias said.
The technology presents both opportunities and challenges for professors. AI can give students another resource for learning, but it can also complete tasks that have traditionally been used to assess whether students understand course material.
“I am very cautious with it because I kinda know that it is wrong, especially when it comes to research,” communication professor Kyle Barnett said. He also said that one thing that AI was great for is filtering through large bits of information.
Communication instructor Anita Tyler said there are negative consequences of the use of AI when it comes to designing advertisements. She said personal ideas are crucial in this industry.
“AI is scary to me. It takes away personality and innovation,” Tyler said.
Some professors at Bellarmine said they are concerned that relying too heavily on AI could prevent students from developing skills such as critical thinking, writing and problem-solving.
“We want people who can think. We don’t want people who can push a button, otherwise you can go someplace else,” computer science professor Nathan Johnson said.
Barnett also said he looks ahead to a job market where we can’t easily predict what’s next in terms of careers and trajectories and said he believes it is more important than ever to be able to think for yourself.
“If you can’t employ some basic thinking skills with whatever you are doing, then you are going to be in trouble later on,” Barnett said.
The growth of generative AI is also changing the way some professors think about assignments. Tasks that once required students to produce a written response on their own can now be completed, at least partially, by an AI tool within seconds.
“Through the internet, and now the AI era, there has always been a temptation to cheat,” Barnett said.
Professors at Bellarmine try to find ways to keep their students engaged in their classes and to prevent students from letting artificial intelligence do all the thinking.
“I have flirted with a lot of different AI policies every semester, and I came back this year with a harder line,” Barnett said.
Students also face different expectations from class to class. Some professors may allow AI for certain tasks, while others may limit its use.
“The best solution for professors is probably to address how they want students to use AI in their specific class,” Elias said.
Elias’ suggestion is also supported by students, who say clearer expectations could help them better understand when and how AI is appropriate to use.
“I think having clear guidelines in every class would be important,” Sidio said.
As artificial intelligence continues to develop, Bellarmine students and professors are navigating a balance between taking advantage of a new technology and maintaining the learning process at the center of a college education.
Johnson said it is important for students to use the tools that are available to them while being able to think critically.
“AI will not replace you, at least not anytime soon,” Johnson said.