Our Mission: Shaping the Future of Computer Science Education in the Age of AI

The rapid evolution of generative AI is transforming our world, reshaping industries and creating new possibilities. For education, this presents both a monumental challenge and a unique opportunity. The Consortium for Generative AI in CS Education is a collaborative initiative designed to empower postsecondary educators to navigate this new landscape with confidence and creativity.

Our mission is to support educators in strategically adapting their teaching methods and curricula. We provide the resources, training, and community support necessary to integrate generative AI effectively, ensuring students develop the advanced skills required for the jobs of tomorrow while upholding academic integrity.

The Challenge: A New Educational Paradigm

The world of work is changing. As AI automates routine tasks, industries are placing a greater emphasis on higher-order skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration. Students are already turning to AI tools for learning and problem-solving, a trend that requires a fundamental shift in how we teach and assess.

Educators are at the center of this transition. They face the dual challenge of:

1. Updating curricula to reflect the evolving demands of the tech industry.
2. Adapting instructional and assessment strategies to ensure students learn deeply and don’t become over-reliant on AI.

While many theoretical frameworks exist, educators often lack the time and practical, classroom-ready resources to apply them effectively. This is the gap our consortium aims to fill.

Our Approach: A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration

The Consortium is a focused initiative that serves as a centralized hub for knowledge, resources, and community. We bring together leading faculty, researchers, and educational organizations to accelerate the thoughtful integration of generative AI in education.

Our core goals are to:

• Formalize and Share Proven Resources: We leverage a comprehensive suite of GenAI content, training modules, and research that has already been successfully developed and tested in partnership with faculty and researchers.
• Establish a Centralized Resource Hub: We are creating a dynamic online platform to host and distribute curriculum materials, best practices, and innovative teaching strategies.
• Build a Collaborative Community: We foster a vibrant network of educators, researchers, and AI experts dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences, and support to amplify our collective impact.

Why Start with Computer Science?

Computer Science is at the epicenter of the AI revolution, making it the ideal starting point for our work.

• Immediate Job Market Impact: Generative AI is already changing the nature of software development, requiring an urgent shift in CS education to prepare graduates for new industry roles.
• High Student Adoption: Studies show that Computer Science majors are among the earliest and most frequent adopters of AI tools. Their education must evolve to guide this usage productively and ethically.
• Established Expertise: Our leadership team and network have deep roots and strong relationships within the CS education ecosystem, providing a robust foundation for success.
• A Scalable Framework: The strategies, research, and professional development created for CS are designed to be adaptable, providing a model that can be scaled to other academic disciplines in the future.

Our Leadership

The consortium is spearheaded by three distinguished leaders in Computer Science education: Dr. Leo Porter, Dr. Daniel Zingaro, and Dr. Beth Simon.

Their collective expertise forms the bedrock of this initiative. Drs. Porter and Zingaro recently co-authored a foundational book that has inspired educators worldwide to incorporate AI tools into their CS courses. All three faculty leads have been honored with a "Top 10 SIGCSE Paper of All Time" award, recognizing their profound and lasting impact on computing education research. Their proven experience in establishing and managing a successful peer-instruction consortium demonstrates their unique capability to foster large-scale, collaborative educational change.

Our Home at UC San Diego CREATE

The consortium is proudly housed within the UC San Diego Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, and Teaching Excellence (CREATE). With over 30 years of experience in STEM education and innovation, CREATE provides the ideal environment and logistical support for our mission. This partnership ensures rigorous program evaluation, professional resource management, and long-term sustainability for the consortium's efforts.