HON/ACE 277: Exploring AI in Thought and Practice (From the Student’s POV)

“When Honors classes were announced for the spring semester this year, I was very skeptical. None of the classes seemed interesting until I came across HON/ACE 277 “Exploring AI: Seminar in Thought and Practice.” While the class itself still has a couple of months left to go and a lot of major assignments to come, it so far has been very interesting” (Zachary Myers).

March 22, 2025

Zachary Myers, Editor

When Honors classes were announced for the spring semester this year, I was very skeptical. None of the classes seemed interesting until I came across HON/ACE 277 “Exploring AI: Seminar in Thought and Practice.” While the class itself still has a couple of months left to go and a lot of major assignments to come, it so far has been very interesting.

In this class, we have been exploring the different ways people have used and are currently using AI. During class time, we talk about different advancements in AI that are being made every day and give our opinions on AI-related issues. Out of class, we use an AI site called Boodlebox, which allows you to chat with hundreds of AI bots for whatever questions or needs are necessary. Two of our major assignments in the class go through Boodlebox. One of them is us maintaining a journal with the AI bot Claude, with the goal being to toy around with the different functions of the bot and report our findings weekly. The big goal for the semester is our community project, which is to develop a project (through AI) that would benefit a community of people, whether it be the UMF population or some other group. I chose a website for teachers explaining difficult topics, like death, to children. We have had some guest speakers during the class talking about AI, including Ted Shelton of Inflection AI and Paloma Shelton, a UMF senior who is working at Umbrage AI.

So far, I have really enjoyed the class. I have never gone in depth about AI, aside from reading some articles about it before this class, so going more in depth about it now has been interesting. I am learning more about AI throughout the weeks and it is not repetitive information. I feel like something new about AI is brought up during every class. I also like the structure of the class being experimental, as even if you are unsuccessful in some assignments, it is a good thing as it provides more insight into AI’s functions. I am very excited about my AI community project, as it has been fun engaging with the AI and bouncing ideas off it, almost like I am talking to a real person. I highly recommend this class for anyone interested in AI or for anyone looking for a cool class.