Amherst College
MA · AI Readiness #171 of 227
AIREDEX™ Score: 5.7 /10
Amherst College gave every undergraduate access to Google Gemini, NotebookLM, and Zoom AI Companion in January 2026, and the Provost chairs an AI Working Group that is actively shaping how AI gets woven into the liberal arts curriculum through 2027.
Amherst students can also tap into ChatGPT-4 via kiosks in Frost Library and the Seeley Mudd IT lab, and the AI Learning Lab Series has offered hands-on sessions continuously since Spring 2023. Courses like LJST 291 'Cultural Lives of AI' and the long-running AILA initiative bring AI questions into law, religion, art history, and sustainability.
Pillar grades
- Commitment: C
- Curriculum: B-
- Partnerships: D-
- Research: C+
A(I)ttitude™: neutral
Selected Highlights
- AI Working Group (Fall 2025-2027) co-chaired by Provost Martha Umphrey with cross-campus membership including CISO, Associate Provost, and faculty from multiple departments; reports directly to Provost. Predecessor 2023 Task Force also documented with published report.
- Published 'Generative AI Recommendations for the Amherst College Campus' (December 2023) includes stated goals, governance commitments, ethical guidelines, and named programs. AI white paper 'Building a Community of Trust' also issued by Office of Community Standards and Provost.
- Three licensed AI tools (Google Gemini, NotebookLM, Zoom AI Companion) deployed campus-wide January 22, 2026, announced by VP/CIO and Provost. ChatGPT4 also accessible via campus kiosks in Frost Library and Seeley Mudd IT lab.
- AI Learning Lab Series running continuously since Spring 2023 with archived sessions through Spring 2026, co-hosted by CTL and ATS with named facilitators Kristina Reardon and Jaya Kannan. AILA initiative active since 2019 with named programming across disciplines. AI Literacy Initiative formally announced by Working Group as in-development program.
- LJST 291 'Cultural Lives of AI' (Prof. Firmani) confirmed as named non-STEM AI course. AILA programming spans law, religion, art history, and sustainability with named faculty participants.