AI + Denison
With a deliberate focus on academic innovation and workplace readiness, Denison University is leading a new model for AI in higher education — one rooted in the liberal arts. Here, AI is not just a technical tool; it’s a lens to ask deeper human questions, foster creativity, and prepare students for meaningful lives and careers.
Preparing Students for an AI World — With Ethics, Creativity, and Curiosity
AI isn’t the future — it’s here, and we’ve been laying the groundwork for years to meet this moment. Denison is uniquely positioned, ranked #2 for career services, #2 for happiest students, #4 for classroom experience, and #4 for innovation among national liberal arts colleges, to prepare our students for success.
AI at Denison: Innovating with Intention
From workshops and new courses to ethical dialogues and hands-on experimentation, Denison is embracing artificial intelligence as a tool — not a replacement — for learning, creativity, and critical inquiry. Across majors, faculty are integrating AI into assignments and class conversations. Data science and campus infrastructure investments support this shift. The goal? To ensure every student graduates with AI fluency, digital literacy, and the intellectual curiosity to use technology thoughtfully in an ever-evolving world.
Data Science Center
Opening Fall 2026, housing new courses and collaborative projects at the intersection of AI, data, technology, and the liberal arts. Denison’s vision is to make data literacy a central part of our campus and curriculum. Denison intends for every student, regardless of major, to graduate fully competent in the analysis and presentation of data, inspired by what it can do both for their careers and the world.
The center includes:
- Labs designed for the hands-on study of AI, virtual reality, robotics, and data visualization.
- Collaborative learning spaces.
- Multi-purpose classrooms with modern technology.
Workforce Skill Building
Employers seek candidates with digital, data, and AI skills across disciplines. Graduates without these competencies are significantly disadvantaged in internships and job searches.
Denison’s Knowlton Center for Career Exploration delivers courses, certifications, and credentials that support proficiency in data literacy for students and alums. We also utilize AI-powered platforms to assist our students in building a professional network and connecting with personalized internship and job opportunities.
Greater Opportunities
of leaders say early-in-career talent will get greater responsibilities due to AI
77%
Competitive Advantage
of people say they need AI skills to remain competitive in the job market
76%
Employer Preferred
of leaders prefer AI-trained candidates over experienced ones without AI skills
71%
Hireability
of leaders would not hire someone without AI skills
66%
Ethics and Governance
Denison leads conversations on how AI intersects with complex social issues and ethical use cases.
Alumni Network
Alumni share insights, shaping career opportunities and mentoring students.
Staff AI Certificate Program
115+ Denison staff trained in AI in the first year, modeling a community-wide commitment to learning.
Why AI at Denison?
The world is changing fast — and AI is at the center of that change. Denison’s culture of curiosity and innovation makes it a leader in integrating AI opportunities into higher education, including:
- Student and faculty AI-certification programs
- Classes on AI through Denison Edge
- Partnership with the Ohio Supercomputer Center supporting classroom research
- AI-powered platforms that evaluate résumés, sharpen cover letters, and source job search boards
At Denison, AI is part of a life-shaping education that prepares students not only for jobs today, but for the careers — and ethical challenges — of tomorrow.
AI + Ethics
At Denison, we don’t shy away from the hard questions. What are the best uses for AI, and when should use be limited? How do we prevent bias in AI systems? How do we ensure technology benefits everyone? Our students engage these issues directly — combining technical fluency with ethical reasoning, civic responsibility, and humanistic inquiry.
Alumni Impact
Denison’s alumni network includes innovators in tech, policy, and creative industries who are already shaping the AI landscape. Students connect with alumni through panels, mentorship, and career programs, gaining insight into how AI is transforming every field.
Spotlights
Denison Magazine