Students from Zhejiang Normal University explored AI-powered assessments and VR to apply in their future teaching and workforce development applications.
The Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE), a translational research center in the College of Education and Human Ecology, is at the forefront of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in Ohio and beyond.
CETE has established a research and development (R&D) program area dedicated to Artificial Intelligence in Education and Training with a vision to fostering a new generation proficient and responsible in AI use.
This initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap by equipping educators, trainers and learning designers with the tools and understanding necessary for the ethical and effective integration of AI technologies.
CETE’s efforts in AI literacy are led by Professor Ana-Paula Correia, director of CETE. Correia is an internationally recognized expert in learning design and educational technology. Her specialties are online learning and teaching, mobile learning, collaborative learning and human-computer interaction.
Her recent research focuses on the role of AI in education and training, with a particular emphasis on promoting AI literacy among learners and educators. Under her leadership, CETE’s team of experts is driving innovative AI education initiatives and expanding the center’s impact on AI literacy at the state and national levels.
… using AI responsibly means more than just knowing how to use the latest AI tools — it’s about understanding their limitations, ethical implications and real-world applications.
— Professor Ana-Paula Correia
"AI in education isn’t just a trend — it’s the next evolution of learning supports, like the scientific calculator once was. If educators, students and learning designers don’t actively engage with AI, they risk falling behind. We need to equip our communities with the skills to use AI responsibly, ensuring they can adapt to both the classroom and the evolving workplace,” Correia said.
“In this context, using AI responsibly means more than just knowing how to use the latest AI tools — it’s about understanding their limitations, ethical implications and real-world applications.”
Aligning with Ohio State’s AI advancements
The timing is ripe for CETE’s R&D program, given that Ohio State has joined the NextGenAI consortium. This partnership with 14 other leading research institutions aims to advance OpenAI research and education.
The consortium is sponsored by up to $50 million from OpenAI in support of access to leading AI tools and funding, which can be used for research grants, computing to train and fine-tune existing university models and other initiatives.
At Ohio State, researchers are embracing AI to accelerate advancements in digital health, advanced therapeutics, manufacturing, energy, mobility and agriculture, while educators are using AI to create advanced learning models. CETE is uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts by fostering AI literacy and application in education and workforce training.
As part of this broader initiative, CETE’s Artificial Intelligence in Education and Training program area will serve as a sustainable platform to advance AI knowledge, supporting educators and professionals in implementing AI-driven solutions.
Fan Xu, senior learning designer at CETE, has firsthand experience in taking AI research and turning it into practical tools and learning opportunities that empower students, families, educators, trainers and workforce professionals.
By leveraging our internal expertise and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration beyond the center, teams at CETE bridge the gap between AI technologies and their ethical integration into real-world learning environments.
— Fan Xu, senior learning designer at CETE
“By leveraging our internal expertise and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration beyond the center, teams at CETE bridge the gap between AI technologies and their ethical integration into real-world learning environments,” Xu said.
“Our scholars and associates have extensive experience in leading professional development and trainings, designing AI-related curricula and resources and evaluating projects to ensure impactful outcomes with the users centered in the experience.”
“I feel proud to be an active contributor in CETE’s work to ensure that AI literacy is not just about technical proficiency,” she said. “but also about equipping individuals with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate AI’s role in education and employment.”
Supporting AI literacy among educators and families
CETE has spearheaded the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Project, ensuring that Ohio communities are prepared to engage with AI technology confidently. The center has conducted professional development sessions to increase the internal capacity for knowledge and skills to implement AI in educational settings.
CETE scholars have contributed to national and international AI discourse. They have presented research at conferences and published studies on AI’s role in education, including its integration into online learning and the next generation of intelligent tutoring systems.
A pivotal component of CETE’s efforts is its Family Engagement program area. Family Engagement is one of CETE’s eight program areas. Together, they have developed AI literacy resources tailored for both educators and families, including infographics.
These resources have been piloted at with educators and parents Metro Middle School in Columbus, Ohio — a diverse public STEM institution co-founded by Ohio State and Battelle — to provide insights on AI’s role in strengthening family-school partnerships.
CETE’s commitment to AI literacy extends to immersive learning experiences. Through the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Project, CETE introduced virtual reality (VR) stations featuring the Meta Quest 3 VR headset and AI-driven tools such as VirtualSpeech.
These tools help families and educators engage in AI-powered soft skills training, as well as experience real-world AI applications firsthand.
Recognizing the importance of accessible AI education, CETE has also developed specialized AI literacy curricula for schools. These initiatives undergo rigorous, design-based research to ensure long-term educational value.
Feedback from training sessions indicates a significant increase in confidence among educators and parents in utilizing AI tools.
AI integration for global educators
In the spring of 2025, CETE implemented an Experiential Learning Program for Visiting Scholars that provides AI-focused training for scholars from Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), China. The cohort of students explored the U.S. education system, research methodologies and instructional practices. This project aligns with Ohio State’s global engagement efforts, equipping future educators with AI literacy and educational technology skills that can transform their teaching.
Through specialized AI sessions, CETE introduced scholars to AI applications in education, workforce development and career training, offering hands-on experiences in AI-powered assessments and educational technology.
These sessions not only helped to expand scholars’ understanding of AI’s role in modern education, but also encouraged them to reimagine their teaching practices in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
CETE’s dedication to AI literacy exemplifies its role as a leader in educational transformation. By integrating AI into education and workforce training, CETE is shaping the future of digital competency, ensuring that individuals are prepared to engage with AI responsibly and effectively.
