Hunter Glanz and Brennan Davis (California Polytechnic State University)
Abstract
The explosion of AI tools has streamlined the process of coding and data analysis more than ever before. Although there may always be some friction in the use of AI tools, we can’t deny their use and that employers expect some level of comfort with them. We can help reduce this friction for students by demonstrating thoughtful prompting and sophisticated analysis of the output. We can support joy and discovery in data science by guiding AI use in the classroom. Our solution is two fold: 1) provide formal guides in the use of AI to assist in data analysis, and 2) redouble the emphasis on critical thinking and communication of data-driven insights. By giving students a tangible resource to steer their AI use we ensure its use is in alignment with content mastery. Further reducing technological barriers in this way makes even more room for meaningful statistical reasoning and communication.