News
Serious Fun: UCSC Professor Pioneers AI in Gaming and Education
Source: news.ucsc.edu
Published on October 23, 2025
Keywords: artificial intelligence, serious games, ucsc, education, ai literacy
What Happened
UC Santa Cruz Professor Seif El-Nasr is on a mission to revolutionize education using artificial intelligence and gaming. As the UC Santa Cruz Presidential Chair, she's spearheading initiatives to integrate AI into classrooms and explore the potential of serious games—games designed for purposes beyond mere entertainment.
El-Nasr, who directs the Game User Interaction and Intelligence Lab, believes games are powerful learning tools when combined with community and thoughtful reflection. She emphasizes a "human-in-the-loop" approach, ensuring AI enhances, rather than replaces, human interaction and critical thinking.
Why It Matters
With AI rapidly transforming industries, El-Nasr recognizes the urgent need to equip students and educators with AI literacy. Her work addresses both the opportunities and challenges presented by these rapidly evolving technologies. She aims to bridge the gap between technological advancements and their practical, ethical implications in education.
El-Nasr has observed a shift in the gaming research field. Initially focused on technological advancements, the field is now paying closer attention to narrative, engagement, and the overall social and emotional impact of games. This evolution reflects a growing recognition of the human element in virtual environments.
Our Take
El-Nasr's work highlights the importance of adapting education to the changing technological landscape. Instead of fearing automation, she views AI as a tool that can augment human capabilities and create new job opportunities. By integrating AI into the curriculum, universities can ensure students are well-prepared for the future workforce. However, the key lies in fostering critical thinking skills so students can use AI tools effectively rather than blindly accepting their outputs. Think of it like a calculator; you need to understand the math before you can effectively use the tool.
However, there's a catch. Over-reliance on algorithms could stifle creativity and critical thinking if not implemented thoughtfully. Education needs to focus on teaching students how to effectively integrate these machine-learning tools, critically evaluate their outputs, and understand the inherent limitations.
Looking Ahead
El-Nasr plans to expand her workshops on AI literacy and collaborate with teaching and learning centers across the UC system. She envisions a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into education, enhancing learning experiences and preparing students for the demands of an AI-driven world. The ultimate goal is to empower students to become informed and responsible users of AI, fostering innovation while mitigating potential risks.
The United Arab Emirates are making big investments in AI, a tell tale sign for what we can expect the coming years. It is important to educate the future workforce in effective AI integration so new jobs can be created.