Skip to Main Content

Algorithms, AI, and First-Year Academic Skills

Caritas Vertias

MAKE A GOOD DECISION v. GOOD DECISION MAKERS

Although cultivating a “meaningful philosophy of life” may no longer be an explicit goal for many college students, the broader purpose of higher education still rests on forming individuals capable of making thoughtful, ethical choices in a complex and rapidly changing world.

At Dominican, our mission invites us to build a more just and humane society. This calls not only for students who can make a good decision, but for those who are becoming good decision makers: individuals who are intentional, reflective, and guided by values in their daily choices.

Nowhere is this more relevant than in our use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Anyone can prompt an AI to generate a sentence or streamline a task. But meaningful engagement with these tools requires more than technical savvy--it demands discernment, humility, and a profound sense of responsibility.

Ultimately, learning to use AI wisely is not simply a matter of efficiency or convenience--it is an expression of your formation as a thinker, a learner, and a person of integrity. Dominican’s mission challenges each of us to pursue truth, to act with compassion, and to contribute to a more just and humane world. Developing the habits of ethical decision-making now, through mindful engagement with technologies like AI, prepares you not only for success in the classroom, but for a lifetime of learning and purposeful social action long after your time at DU.