Dr. Mark Jowett, a School of Information (iSchool) faculty member, is motivating students to think critically about artificial intelligence (AI), and how it is changing the fields of information, media, and our world as we know it!

Currently, Dr. Jowett is teaching two related courses: “LIS4369 Extensible Enterprise Solutions” and a co-listed, undergraduate/graduate course, “LIS4376/LIS5377 Artificial Intelligence Applications.” The AI Applications course (taught Summer 2025) and the Extensible Enterprise Solutions course (taught this fall) are providing Jowett’s students with knowledge on the real-world implications of data analytics, visualization, AI—and, most importantly, how to get employed with those skill sets!

 “AI is so intertwined in our lives and what we do. Many times, we take it for granted,” said Jowett. “It is used in so many sectors like retail, transportation, finance, healthcare, fraud detection, and smart home devices—to name a few.”

“LIS4369 – Extensible Enterprise Solutions” focuses on application design and development skills, including data science, analytics, and visualization competencies that are needed, and in fact, now required, in many professional job markets, where the salaries accurately reflect an individual’s high skill level.

In a complementary way, the “LIS4376/LIS5377 Artificial Intelligence Applications” course offers an exploratory introduction to artificial intelligence and some of its associated technologies. The skills, tools, and techniques provided in this course are all relevant to AI-related fields: for example, generative and predictive AI, robotics, cybersecurity, global finance, national defense, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and even search engines and digital assistants.

With AI’s large reach, teaching methods are being altered frequently to match the rapid pace of artificial intelligence as it impacts students’ pre- and post-graduate plans.

“It is incumbent for all instructors to do some type of continual introspection on their courses, and to evaluate their courses’ currency and relevance with respect to their subject matter—particularly, as it relates to students’ employment opportunities!” said Jowett.

Information students’ views on AI are split between positive and negative future implications for career longevity. Jowett expresses that as the world moves into more AI-based practices, the need for human interaction is still pertinent and essential.

“The future belongs to those who study the trends and prepare for the future,” said Jowett. “If you are passionate about what you do, work hard, continually try to better yourself, network with others who are similarly passionate and driven, you will be very successful!”