Upcoming Preparing Tomorrow's Faculty for AI Integration: Lessons from a Graduate Teaching Course

This study examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools—specifically ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Microsoft’s Copilot—in a graduate-level course preparing future faculty members. Through a mixed-methods approach combining pre- and post-course surveys with structured observations, the researcher investigated how these AI tools influenced students’ engagement, learning outcomes, and development of teaching competencies. The study, conducted with graduate students in a University Teaching in Human Sciences course, revealed significant improvements in students’ AI knowledge and confidence in using AI tools for educational purposes. Findings indicate that while AI tools enhanced productivity and collaborative learning, their effectiveness depended heavily on structured facilitation and intentional integration with evidence-based teaching practices. The study provides insights into both the opportunities and challenges of incorporating AI in higher education pedagogy, particularly in the context of preparing future faculty members.