Preparing students for an AI-shaped world
As SMART helps students strengthen a foundational academic skill, BRIDGE AI introduces them to a technology increasingly influencing how people learn, work and solve problems.
Led by Rifat Sabbir Mansur, assistant teaching professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State Lehigh Valley, BRIDGE AI gives students an accessible introduction to artificial intelligence without requiring programming experience.
The no-code course explores the history and development of AI, the concepts behind machine learning and contemporary AI systems, and the strengths and limitations of emerging tools. Students also consider ethical issues, including bias, responsible use and the role of human judgment when working with artificial intelligence.
Students have opportunities to explore current AI tools, compare their capabilities and limitations, and discuss how rapidly evolving technologies could affect their education and future careers.
The course is offered at no cost, and students who choose to complete the final assessment have a pathway to earn three Penn State credits.
“AI literacy is becoming an essential skill, but understanding AI also makes critical thinking more important, not less important,” Rifat Sabbir Mansur said. “We want students to understand what these systems can do, where they can fall short and why human judgment still matters. The goal is for students to leave the course prepared to ask better questions, use these tools responsibly and continue adapting as the technology changes.”
Connecting to Penn State’s student success and AI strategy
BRIDGE AI reflects a broader University-wide effort to prepare students for a future in which artificial intelligence will increasingly influence education, careers and society. Penn State’s AI Transformation initiative calls for students across disciplines to develop foundational AI literacy, including an understanding of how AI works, how to use it responsibly and how to think critically about its impact in the classroom, workplace and community.
That emphasis also connects with Penn State’s strategic goal of enhancing student success by preparing students for their academic and professional futures and helping graduates develop the skills needed for in-demand careers. Programs such as SMART and BRIDGE AI bring those priorities together at Penn State Lehigh Valley by giving students opportunities to strengthen foundational academic skills, explore emerging technologies and begin developing confidence before their first semester.
Creating a stronger start at Penn State
Together, SMART and BRIDGE AI illustrate how summer readiness programs can address different aspects of the transition to a four-year degree.
For some students, preparation may mean strengthening mathematics skills before entering a STEM course sequence. For others, it can mean developing the technological literacy needed to navigate classrooms and workplaces increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
Both programs also give students something less easily measured: an opportunity to experience college-level learning, interact with Penn State faculty and begin building confidence before the semester starts.
That early connection can be particularly important for students who may be uncertain about their academic preparation or what will be expected of them in college.
By providing additional points of access to academic preparation, the programs reflect Penn State Lehigh Valley’s focus on making a four-year education accessible while giving students individualized opportunities to prepare for success.
For Kiani, that preparation ultimately comes back to helping students recognize their own potential.
“Students learn that mistakes are part of learning, asking questions is a strength and persistence often matters more than where you started,” Kiani said. “If students begin their first semester understanding that, they are not only better prepared for mathematics. They are better prepared to be successful college students.”