- October 31, 2025
- By Maryland Today Staff
The University of Maryland Libraries is helping students at UMD and beyond build the skills to wisely navigate artificial intelligence (AI) applications as they reshape classrooms, workplaces and daily life.
The UMD Libraries and the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center partnered to create an online learning module on AI literacy—a self-guided introduction to understanding, evaluating and using AI tools responsibly. Since launching in 2023, the module has been integrated into over 350 UMD courses and adopted by more than 120 universities worldwide, helping learners recognize both the potential and the pitfalls of emerging technologies.
The project earned UMD’s 2025 “Invention of the Year” award in the Social Innovation category, recognizing its creative approach to promoting ethical and informed AI use across disciplines.
"Critical thinking about AI outputs is going to be an important skill to develop for anyone, as AI is increasingly integrated into everyday information systems,” says Benjamin Shaw, UMD Libraries’ teaching and learning librarian. “If we get in the habit of fact-checking, thinking carefully about which uses of AI make sense, and making sure we’re driving AI tools and not letting them drive us, I think we’ll be in better shape for the future.
The module explores practical questions on what AI can and can’t do, how to cite its use and how to distinguish between helpful automation and misinformation—while encouraging reflection on creativity, bias and academic integrity.
A companion AI & Information Literacy Research Guide, maintained by UMD Libraries, has attracted more than 144,000 views to date and is available to anyone who wants to build their AI literacy skills. Together, the module and guide exemplify the university’s commitment to empowering people to think critically about the technologies shaping our future.