2025-26 Innovation in AI Funded Projects
The AI Council, Campus Technology Committee, ORSP, OFE, and ITS announced a Request for Proposals from faculty for innovative projects focusing on AI in various academic and research domains in April 2025.
A selection committee comprised of members from each of these groups, including an award winner from AY 2024-25, reviewed the proposals and made selections via the evaluation rubric.
The funded projects include:
Detecting Deception in Social Media: A New AI-Powered Approach
We're leading an innovative research project aimed at improving trust in online communication. Our method, Mediated Statement Analysis (MSA), is adapted from police investigative techniques and designed to identify deceptive content on social media.
What We're Doing
Using MSA, we're training artificial intelligence (AI) models to recognize patterns in truthful and deceptive posts. In our pilot study, we analyzed more than 1,400 posts from 245 participants, using nine distinct MSA coding categories.
What's Next
In the next phase, we'll apply machine learning to a larger dataset of 4,110 posts, refining how both large and small language models detect deception. This will enable us to develop more intelligent tools that can assess the integrity of online content.
Why It Matters
Our goal is to create AI tools that support honest communication across platforms like:
- Online dating apps
- Product review sites
- News and media outlets
- Social networks
By helping users better navigate digital spaces, we’re working to make online interactions more transparent and trustworthy.
Agentic AI Tutors: What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Headed
Can AI tutors really improve student learning? So far, our research suggests that this is not yet the case. Across three studies, no significant improvement in key student outcomes when using current AI tutoring systems has been found.
What We’ve Discovered
While today’s AI tutors may fall short, our research has uncovered promising ways to make them better. By improving context, assessment, and social presence, it is believed that AI tutors can become more effective learning tools.
What’s Next
With support from a new research grant, a next-generation, agent-based AI tutor is being developed and tested. This system is designed to address the gaps identified and deliver measurable improvements in student learning.
Why It Matters
As AI becomes more integrated into education, it’s critical to ensure these tools actually help students succeed. Our work aims to shape the future of AI tutoring, making it more innovative, more supportive and truly impactful.
Prompt, Produce, Reflect: Equipping Students for Ethical and Applied AI in the Classroom
Coming Spring 2026, Dr. Samantha Brown will lead a dynamic new course designed for social science students eager to understand and engage with artificial intelligence.
What the Course Covers
Students will gain:
- Foundational knowledge of AI and large language models
- Hands-on experience using AI tools in academic and professional settings
- Critical perspectives on the ethical use of AI in society
What to Expect
This course combines theory with practice, equipping students to utilize AI ethically and effectively in both the classroom and their future careers.
Showcase Event
The semester will conclude with a public showcase of student projects, highlighting creative and thoughtful applications of AI in the social sciences.
Enhancing Academic Writing with GenAI and Metacognition
This research project investigates how students can utilize generative AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, more effectively and ethically in their writing. By integrating metacognitive strategies into GenAI training, we aim to help students become more thoughtful and strategic writers.
What We’re Doing
Starting with the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) framework, we’re studying how students plan, monitor and evaluate their writing when supported by GenAI. The goal is to foster deeper learning and more innovative use of AI tools.
What’s Next
With support from this grant, we’re developing a digital badge that recognizes ethical, metacognitive use of AI in writing. This badge will offer transferable strategies that students can apply across disciplines, aligning with UNF’s strategic goals for innovation and academic excellence.
Why It Matters
As GenAI becomes part of everyday learning, students need guidance to use these tools responsibly. Our work supports both AI-integrated teaching and student agency, helping learners navigate emerging technologies with confidence and skill.