Perspective: The Role of AI in the Classroom.

Erik Krohn, professor of instruction in computer science at the University of Iowa, offers new perspectives about AI and its future in the world of computer science education. Rather than forbidding the use of AI in his classes, Krohn challenges his students to integrate AI responsibly into their workflows. His goal is to guide students toward using AI ethically rather than for “just getting the solution without thinking about it.”

Engagement Versus Shortcuts.

Krohn believes it is important that students use AI to support their education instead of to avoid learning. “If a student understands the concepts and uses AI to save time, that can be perfectly reasonable. For example, they might use AI to check solutions, help with debugging code, or explore alternative solutions. However, if a student relies on AI to do the thinking for them, then the education value of the assignment disappears.”

“AI systems are trained on large amounts of existing information. This means they can often generate reasonable answers to familiar questions. But the goal of education is not simply to memorize facts and answers generated by AI. In computer science especially, one of the most important skills we want students to develop is problem solving. If students rely on AI to generate answers, they miss the opportunity to build those skills.”

Designing Coursework with both Human and AI Components.

“One challenge in teaching computer science is designing assignments that measure whether students understand the material. Ideally, students should engage with problems at a level that encourages real thinking and problem solving,” says Krohn. “However, with the rise of AI tools, students can copy many traditional homework questions into an AI system and answer them almost instantly. That raises a natural question from students: If AI can generate the answer, why should I solve the problem myself?”

“But in computer science education, the answer itself is rarely the main goal. The learning happens during the process of working through the problem. Educational research has long shown that students develop deeper understanding when they actively engage with problems rather than when they simply receive solutions.”

That is why Professor Krohn develops assignments that help show students both the advantages and limitations of AI in CS applications.

In his Computer Organization class, Professor Krohn has an extra credit assignment that encourages students to responsibly prompt AI to create the optimal solution for a simple game. When they develop a solution, they can compare their results to Krohn’s answer.

“While the game itself is easy to understand, building the solver requires real algorithmic thinking. Simply asking an AI to generate the solution doesn’t work at all. The goal is to show students that while AI tools are powerful, they still rely on human guidance to break complex problems into manageable steps.”

AI: A Tool for Computer Scientists, not a Replacement.

Professor Krohn believes AI can be a useful learning tool for computer scientists and students, if they use it responsibly. “I often encourage students to think of AI as a tutor that is always available. It can help explain concepts or suggest ways to approach a problem.”

“At the same time, students must stay critical of AI-generated outputs,” he adds. “These systems can make mistakes. It’s important to check whether the results align with what students know from class and their readings. It needs to be used thoughtfully.”

“A good way to think about AI is as a tool for collaboration and not just an answer generator. Students should start by attempting a problem on their own. Struggling to find an answer for some time is expected. But, after sufficient time has passed, AI can be helpful for clarifying concepts or suggesting alternative approaches. It can also be helpful in identifying mistakes in potential solutions.” 

The Future of AI in the Classroom.

More AI classes and a new undergraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence are coming to the University of Iowa in Fall 2026, opening more paths into this new field. The Computer Science Department is also adding an additional required course in AI to its undergraduate curriculum, as well as advanced classes and research into new applications of AI.

“Expanding AI-related coursework is a positive step. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important across many industries,” says Krohn. “Students who understand how AI systems work will have strong opportunities in the future in many different areas, not just computer science. At the same time, it’s important that AI education builds on strong foundations in areas like algorithms and data structures. Those fundamentals help students understand what AI can and cannot do.”

Regarding his own classes, Professor Krohn said that he is interested in using AI more often. “I expect AI to play a larger role in my courses moving forward. One area is in helping students learn how to interact effectively with AI systems. Asking the right questions and providing the right context is becoming an increasingly useful skill. AI can also help with repetitive or time-consuming tasks. This allows students to focus more on the underlying ideas and problem-solving strategies.”

“My goal is not simply to allow AI in the classroom. Instead, I want to help students thoughtfully use these tools and responsibly incorporate them into their workflows.”