Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the U

AI is helping elevate nursing education by streamlining academic support and improving student learning outcomes. Assistant Professor Chris Macintosh uses AI tools to enhance writing feedback, strengthen evidence-based practice skills, simplify statistical concepts, and support job-search preparation. The approach reduces faculty workload while giving students more organized, accessible guidance. The result is clearer writing, stronger statistical confidence, and better preparation for professional nursing practice—showing how AI can enhance, not replace, the human connection in teaching and learning.

GARDE-Chat is an AI-powered, no-code platform that enables researchers to build chatbot-based digital health interventions at scale. Developed by Professors Guilherme Del Fiol and Ken Kawamoto, the tool supports rule-based and LLM-driven chatbots and has already powered more than 15 projects—including large trials reaching up to 100,000 patients. By improving access to evidence-based services and helping secure over $35 million in federal funding, GARDE-Chat demonstrates how AI can make healthcare interventions more scalable, effective, and widely accessible.

Chad McDonald and Matt Davis, Research Associate Professors at the University of Utah, have developed Virtual Motivational Interviewing (VMI), an AI- and VR-powered training tool within the Virtual Skills & Workforce Trainer (VSWT) platform. VMI provides social workers with repeated, realistic practice using AI-generated scenarios and a chatbot that simulates clients, offers feedback, and supports skill development in motivational interviewing. Modeled after Duolingo’s scaffolded learning approach, the platform delivers thousands of varied practice interactions efficiently. Early research shows the tool is well-received and performs as effectively as traditional training methods.

A new course, AI Prompting for Strategic Communication (COMM 3580), prepares emerging communicators to work confidently and responsibly with artificial intelligence. Taught by Professor Andy J. King, the class gives students hands-on experience with AI tools that streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and support real-world communication tasks. Alongside practical skills, students also explore ethical considerations and the limits of AI in professional settings.