AI as Co-Learner: Presenting Posthuman Approaches to Graduate Education at MSU Denver

Invited presentation at MSU Denver’s GRADTALK series on reimagining graduate education through posthuman pedagogy

Exploring how posthuman pedagogy can transform graduate education by moving beyond bounded learner models to embrace learning assemblages in an AI-integrated era.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Posthuman approaches to AI in graduate education

Presentation Context

I was invited to present at Metropolitan State University of Denver’s (MSU Denver) GRADTALK series, a forum for discussing innovative approaches to graduate education. The presentation was well-received by faculty from across departments, generating substantive discussion about practical implementation strategies and philosophical implications for academic identity in an AI-integrated era. Thanks, again, to Dr. Inge Wefes for the invitation!

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Abstract

This presentation challenges traditional notions of the “graduate learner” by proposing three progressive paradigms for understanding AI’s role in graduate education: AI as Tool, AI as Co-Creator, and AI as Co-Learner. Moving beyond bounded individual models, I argue for reconceptualizing graduate students as hybrid learning assemblages co-constituted with AI technologies in their scholarly practice.

The framework addresses critical questions about academic identity, research integrity, and assessment practices while offering practical strategies for faculty to thoughtfully integrate AI into graduate education. Rather than treating AI as external tools, this posthuman approach acknowledges the relational and distributed nature of all scholarship, providing ethical frameworks for navigating human-AI entanglements in advanced academic work.

Key Themes

  • Paradigm Progression: Moving from AI as Tool → Co-Creator → Co-Learner
  • Learning Assemblages: Reconceptualizing students as hybrid networks rather than bounded individuals
  • Epistemic Considerations: Addressing risks of critical thinking erosion while embracing collaborative potential
  • Assessment Evolution: Shifting from “Did they do it alone?” to “Did they engage thoughtfully?”
  • Networked Wisdom: Developing ethical frameworks for human-AI scholarly collaboration

Presentation Materials

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Citation

BibTeX citation:
@unpublished{straight2025,
  author = {Straight, Ryan},
  publisher = {Metropolitan State University of Denver},
  title = {AI as {Co-Learner:} {Presenting} {Posthuman} {Approaches} to
    {Graduate} {Education} at {MSU} {Denver}},
  date = {2025-09-17},
  url = {https://ryanstraight.com/posts/2025-09-17-msu-denver-gradtalk-ai-co-learner/},
  langid = {en}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Straight, R. (2025, September 17). AI as Co-Learner: Presenting Posthuman Approaches to Graduate Education at MSU Denver. In MSU Denver GRADTALK Series. Metropolitan State University of Denver. https://ryanstraight.com/posts/2025-09-17-msu-denver-gradtalk-ai-co-learner/