Dr. Wing Fu - Reimagining Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI

Dr. Wing Fu joined the panel at Reimagining Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI, not speaking hypothetically about the future of artificial intelligence in education, but speaking from experience. In her work with students, particularly those facing academic challenges, Dr. Fu has been actively integrating AI into academic coaching. Her goal is not to replace traditional support systems, but to rethink how they can be expanded. "Coaching is effective, but it's resource intensive," she explained. AI, when used thoughtfully, offers a way to scale the support while maintaining structure and intention. 

At the heart of her approach is balance: leveraging technology without losing the human connection that defines meaningful learning. Looking ahead, Dr. Fu sees AI reshaping education in ways that are both practical and profound. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all instruction, students will increasingly have access to real-time, on-demand support, whether that's clarifying difficult concepts, generating practice opportunities, or receiving immediate feedback. This shift, she notes, will fundamentally change the role of faculty. 

Instead of focusing primarily on delivering information, educators will guide how students think, helping them develop judgment, apply knowledge, and engage in deeper learning. "AI can handle many routine tasks," she said, "but it cannot replace mentorship or professional formation."

For the faculty beginning to explore AI in their own teaching, Dr. Fu emphasizes a practical and grounded approach. Start small. Focus on a specific challenge, like feedback or practice, and experiment. Be transparent with students, and don't aim for perfection right away. Most importantly, keep the human element at the center.

In Dr. Fu's view, the future of education isn't about choosing between technology and teaching, it's about combining them. A hybrid model, where AI supports learning processes and faculty lead with expertise and mentorship, offers the greatest potential to enhance both teaching and student success.