Leaders agree that when—and when not—to rely on AI is the fundamental lesson students must learn when using technology. That focus is not fundamentally different from higher education’s traditional mission, says Carolyn Speer, director of the Office of Instructional Resources at Wichita State University. “It’s the same skillset: being able to make sound judgements and allow different ideas to compete internally,” she says. “Students are just using it in a new context.” Speer works with instructors across the university to identify resources and practices that improve teaching. As AI tools become more common in classrooms, she evaluates them through a familiar lens: whether they help students think more deeply and improve decision-making. Her first question is straightforward: Does this tool help students develop the ability to think critically about personal, professional and civic challenges?