AI Partnerships in Graduate Education: Catalyzing Deeper Learning with AI

Tim Neu, a graduate student at the Belk College of Business, first dipped his toes into the world of artificial intelligence with a blend of excitement and caution.

Always the experimenter, Tim decided early on to explore AI tools—not as a crutch, but as a partner in his academic journey. He invested in the pro versions of ChatGPT, determined to see firsthand what these digital assistants could offer, especially when it came to coding and research.

At first, Tim’s use of AI was marked by enthusiastic experimentation. He pushed the boundaries of what the technology could do, testing its limits in debugging code, generating literature overviews, and even refining definitions he found in textbooks.

“It’s easier and it saves time,”

he would say, marveling at how quickly the AI identified coding errors that used to take him hours to locate on platforms like Stack Overflow.

For Tim, the allure was not in replacing his own knowledge but in supplementing it with a tool that could sift through mountains of data in mere seconds.

One memorable instance that stood out for Tim was when he was working on a complex econometrics model. The model was a labyrinth of equations and variables—a challenge that many of his peers found daunting. Instead of getting lost in the intricacies of the calculations, Tim turned to AI for an initial analysis. The tool provided him with an overview of the model’s structure and highlighted potential pitfalls. However, the AI’s response wasn’t perfect; it occasionally offered the same misleading suggestions, even when Tim pointed out discrepancies. This experience taught him a valuable lesson:

While AI could be an efficient starting point, it was not infallible. The need to verify every piece of information manually became crystal clear.

Tim also discovered that the convenience of AI had its drawbacks. Over time, he noticed that relying too heavily on AI for quick fixes began to erode his own problem-solving skills.

“If I use the simple quick solution every time, I might get something that’s good but not great,”

he admitted.

The challenge was learning how to strike a balance—using AI as an aid without letting it replace the fundamental process of deep research and critical thinking. This realization reshaped his approach: he would start with AI-generated overviews but then dive deeper into the original sources, ensuring that his understanding remained robust.

Another significant turning point came when Tim needed to gather detailed information for potential graduate school opportunities. Faced with the complexity of finding data on this—a task that traditional search engines made cumbersome—Tim turned to ChatGPT. The AI provided a preliminary answer and even directed him to a website for further details. However, the information it supplied was only partially accurate. Tim’s skepticism was once again validated as he cross-referenced the data manually, confirming what was true and discarding what wasn’t. This process reinforced his belief that AI should never be trusted blindly; it was a powerful assistant that required a human touch for validation.

Looking to the future, Tim envisions AI playing an increasingly pivotal role in both research and education. He sees it as an indispensable tool for summarizing large volumes of literature, smoothing over complicated academic texts, and even assisting in grading assignments by identifying key insights in student submissions. “It can really help with the heavy lifting—providing overviews, detecting errors, and offering fresh perspectives,” he reflected. Yet, he also stresses that the human element remains essential, particularly when it comes to interpreting nuanced data or ensuring that the narrative behind the numbers is fully understood.

Through trial, error, and careful calibration of his own expectations, Tim Neu has carved out a unique path in the evolving landscape of AI. His journey is a testament to the idea that, with the right balance, technology can serve as a catalyst for deeper learning and innovation—an indispensable ally in the relentless pursuit of knowledge at the Belk College of Business.