AI for human thriving

An 18th-century principle is propelling the University of Dayton forward in its use of artificial intelligence: adaptation, articulated by Society of Mary founder the Blessed William Joseph Chaminade in his precept, “new times call for new methods.”

In February 2025, UD rolled out Flyer GPT, a secure, custom, enterprise-grade AI platform. Since then, the University has built numerous custom AI agents for use across campus.

“The world is changing around us rapidly, and we have to adapt,” said Gurvinder Rekhi, vice president and chief information officer. He and Matt Shaw, dean of libraries, head a steering committee on AI, which promises radical transformation of industry and higher education within the next five years.

By 2030, up to 30% of hours currently worked in the U.S. economy could be automated, according to a McKinsey Global Institute report. Universities must adapt to remain relevant for human learning and development, Rekhi said. UD is focusing on AI in teaching, learning, research and campus operations, with constant planning for the future. The University’s priority: ensuring graduates can thrive in AI-integrated workplaces —not just using tools, but applying professional, social and ethical skills critical to future work. Flyers will graduate with increased information literacy while also being equipped to work in teams, lead responsibly, navigate differences and think creatively.

Human thriving and human-centered use are at the core of UD’s approach. Technology must align with the common good and core principles of human intelligence, responsibility, respect and dignity, Shaw said.

“We need our vision to be rooted in values so we can make educated decisions
about AI,” Shaw said.

This summer, nine School of Business Administration faculty fellows reimagined curriculum by changing at least 20% of a course’s content to incorporate generative AI.

Marlon Williams, associate professor of economics, built an AI agent named CeCee to help his students understand often difficult economic principles. Instead of replacing in-person teaching, AI chats happening out of the classroom should allow for deeper understanding and raise the quality of conversations with their professor and peers.

“With AI, it puts an even greater premium on class time,” he said.

Examples of AI implementation can be found across campus: A faculty member in engineering is using AI to help detect lung cancer in children; another in languages built a chatbot to help school-aged children practice French; and another is experimenting with AI-generated video to teach cross-cultural marketing.

Last April UD hosted a full-day AI seminar. When considering technology, Jana Bennett, professor of religious studies, said we must answer the question, “What is the state of our world that enables us individually and together to flourish as human beings, to be our best selves?”

Relationship-building will become increasingly valued, which means UD’s highly residential learning environment will become even more crucial and relevant, Shaw said, in an age of increased technology.

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A version of this article appears in print in the Autumn 2025 University of Dayton Magazine, Page 12. EXPLORE THE ISSUE — MORE ONLINE