Student Joins Faculty-Led Presentation on Empowering Students Through AI in the Classroom and Beyond

By Elizabeth Quaye, PhD

CUNY’s recent “Don’t AI Alone” (DAIA) Conference: AI in CUNY’s Classrooms, held at Hunter College, received strong praise from attendees for its collaborative and forward-thinking approach to artificial intelligence in higher education. The presentation, organized in part by York Professor Cassandra Silva Sibilin (History, Philosophy, and Anthropology), highlighted the importance of transparency, responsible use, and shared learning as AI continues to reshape academic environments.

The session featured an interdisciplinary panel of presenters, including Sophomore Accounting major Shaneal Dean, along with Dr. Elizabeth Quaye (Accounting and Finance), Dr. Abu Kamruzzaman (Business and Economics), Dr. Thitima Srivatanakul (Mathematics and Computer Science), and Dr. Xin Bai (Teacher Education). The group showcased practical, classroom-tested examples demonstrating how AI tools can enhance teaching, support research, and strengthen cross-disciplinary learning across CUNY.

Attendees noted that the presenters effectively framed AI integration as an evolving process, one that requires ongoing reflection, transparency, and dialogue between students and faculty. Panel demonstrations highlighted real-world applications of AI that maintain academic integrity while enriching the student learning experience.

Among the presenters, student speaker Shaneal Dean received particularly enthusiastic feedback. Participants praised the clarity and depth of Shaneal’s examples, noting how effectively the presentation illustrated AI’s role in supporting learning within accounting and business disciplines. Many attendees described the student’s contribution as both informative and inspiring.

Reflecting on the experience, Shaneal Dean shared: “It was a privilege attending the Fall 2025 DAIA (Don't AI Alone) Conference, where I had the opportunity not only to represent York College as a student speaker but also to hear valuable feedback from students about their experiences with AI. I also gained insight into the challenges faculty now face when AI is not used ethically. This has allowed me to ensure the responsible, transparent, and informed use of AI tools for myself and colleagues.” Shaneal’s mentor and co-presenter, Dr. Elizabeth Quaye, added: “I am committed to empowering students to explore the immense potential of AI as a powerful tool for learning, capacity building, and improving efficiencies, while at the same time exposing students to the importance of understanding its limitations and the ethical responsibilities required to use this technology wisely and responsibly.”

Overall, the event was celebrated as an inspiring model of collaboration, innovation, and student engagement, reflecting CUNY’s commitment to preparing its community for the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in education.