Empowering Faculty to Experiment, Share and Learn: Advancing AI Literacy in Higher Education

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"It is important that every professor feels like he or she can experiment, and that this activity is recognised at the end of the year as part of what we value as an institution."

Faculty are key to integrating AI in education, but adoption requires support, experimentation, and clear guidance to unlock its full potential whilst addressing ethical and pedagogical challenges.

Valentina De Marchi, Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CTL) at ESADE Business School was interviewed by Danny Bielik, President of DEC during the DEC Executive Briefing #014: AI Literacy for All.
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Encouraging Experimentation with AI

ESADE’s CTL fosters AI adoption through its philosophy of "Experiment, Share, and Learn."

Recognising the need for faculty to explore AI’s potential with confidence, the university has prioritised a supportive environment for experimentation.

"We try to create a context where professors can experiment on their own," De Marchi explained. "Every discipline needs to use AI in a different way, so there’s the need for tailored approaches”.

A key focus has been ensuring safe and controlled AI experimentation. ESADE provides faculty with secure, institution-approved AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, reducing concerns over data privacy and misuse.

Beyond technology access, knowledge-sharing is central to ESADE’s strategy. A faculty community meets monthly to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences, creating a strong network of peer support.
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Rethinking Teaching and Learning with AI

AI is more than just a tool — it demands a shift in pedagogy. Traditionally, teaching focussed on content delivery, but AI challenges faculty to take on a more facilitative role in student learning.

"AI is making it even more evident that professors need to focus on active learning and active teaching approaches," De Marchi said. 

To support this transition, ESADE provides learning at multiple levels. Introductory workshops help new users develop confidence, while advanced sessions bring together experienced faculty to exchange insights.

Faculty are also given space to rethink assessment strategies, ensuring that AI is integrated effectively into student learning while maintaining academic integrity.

Recognising Faculty Efforts Through Institutional Support

A key challenge in AI adoption is the additional workload placed on faculty. Teaching, research, and administrative duties already demand time, making it difficult to prioritise innovation.

"Doing something new requires a lot of time," De Marchi acknowledged.

To address this, ESADE formally recognises AI-related faculty work as part of their service contributions. Experimentation counts toward faculty responsibilities, ensuring their efforts are valued even if some AI trials do not immediately succeed.

"It is important that every professor feels like he or she can experiment," De Marchi emphasised. "We are trying to implement systems to appreciate professors’ roles and the time to experiment.”

Building a Community for Long-Term AI Integration

ESADE’s commitment to AI literacy extends beyond training — it is about fostering a culture of shared learning. By bringing educators together, the university ensures AI adoption is a collective transformation, not an isolated effort.

"AI is changing so much — we need to be able to adapt," De Marchi said. "No one individually alone can do it. But a community can."