Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are rapidly reshaping how many of us approach writing, whether we are drafting papers, discussion board posts, reports, articles, or even theses and dissertations. For some writers, these tools offer new ways to brainstorm ideas, clarify complex concepts, revise drafts, or experiment with tone and structure. For others, they raise pressing questions about academic integrity, authorship, learning, and the role of writing itself in higher education.
At the same time, the boundaries around appropriate AI use remain blurry. Policies and expectations continue to evolve, and many students, staff, and faculty are understandably unsure about when AI might support writing — and when its use may undermine learning, ethical practice, or institutional guidelines. These questions sit alongside broader concerns about AI’s environmental impact, the expansion of data centers into local communities, and unresolved issues of intellectual property and consent in the training of AI models.
To create space for these conversations, the UMB Writing Center is hosting weekly, one-hour Writing & AI Q&A sessions on Zoom every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. EST starting Feb. 5. These informal sessions are primarily designed for students, but are also open to staff and faculty. They are low-stakes, judgment-free spaces to ask questions, share concerns, and think critically together about writing and AI. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all answers, these sessions focus on supporting writers in making informed, ethical, and intentional choices about if, how, and when AI tools fit into their writing practices, and also when they don’t.
Whether you are curious, cautious, or skeptical about AI, these weekly Q&A hours invite you to join an ongoing conversation about writing, learning, and responsibility in an age of rapidly changing technologies. Register via the Zoom registration form.
Via the UMB Writing Center’s website, UMB community members can also submit questions ahead of time each week to be discussed during the Q&A session. In addition, summaries of any answers to those questions will be posted on the UMB Writing Center website. Additional resources about writing and AI will be shared on the UMB Writing Center’s resource guide Writing and AI.
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