The Future Project
Teaching, Learning, and Work with Artificial Intelligence
A university-wide initiative bringing our community together to thoughtfully explore AI's role in education and Montana's workforce, keeping human values at the center
Launched in 2025 with support from Montana-based company Craton, The Future Project guides the University of Montana in understanding how generative AI is transforming higher education, student learning, the future of work, and Montana's broader workforce.
Unlike rapid AI adoption at other institutions, UM has chosen a deliberate path—one that prioritizes community input, preserves academic values, and ensures technology serves human flourishing rather than the other way around.
Our approach is intentionally different: We're not just implementing AI tools. We're building a framework for responsible innovation that aligns with UM's mission of whole-person education, ethical leadership, and service to community.
Four Interconnected Lines of Effort
How We Teach
Exploring faculty experiences, needs, and perspectives regarding AI in the classroom
- Identifying AI tools that enhance pedagogy
- Safeguarding academic integrity
- Supporting faculty adaptation to new technologies
- Developing best practices for AI-augmented instruction
What We Teach
Examining how students perceive and use generative AI while engaging with employers
- Building AI literacy across disciplines
- Developing critical thinking about AI capabilities and limitations
- Creating curricula for technical AI competencies
- Preserving human-centered skills like creativity and ethical reasoning
How We Work
Investigating how UM employees can use AI to enhance their work
- Improving administrative efficiency
- Reducing workload stress through automation
- Maintaining human oversight in decision-making
- Addressing risks of technological displacement
Industry Demands
Engaging directly with Montana employers to understand workforce needs
- Identifying skills gaps in AI-influenced workplaces
- Aligning academic programs with industry needs
- Building partnerships for internships and co-ops
- Supporting Montana's economic development through AI readiness
Our Phased Approach
Phase I: Exploration & Engagement
Spring 2025
Established foundation of inquiry and collaboration across campus
- Oriented faculty and staff coordinators in February
- Conducted cross-campus conversations with 200+ participants
- Engaged industry partners across Montana
- Delivered initial findings to UM leadership in May
- Identified key opportunities and challenges for AI integration
Phase II: Strategy Development
Summer 2025 - August
Moving from exploration to intentional, coordinated approach
- Defining UM's AI Commitments and Approach
- Creating visual representation of UM's statewide AI leadership role
- Developing immediate action items for Fall implementation
- Building framework for sustainable AI governance
- Establishing partnerships with K-12 and tribal colleges
Phase III: Implementation & Community Dialogue
Fall 2025
Broad engagement and refinement of AI strategy
- Soliciting campus-wide feedback on AI commitments
- Hosting open forums and department-specific discussions
- Refining strategies based on community input
- Launching pilot programs and early action items
- Establishing ongoing governance and assessment structures
Project Coordinators
The Future Project brings together 55+ coordinators from across our campus, ensuring that our AI strategy reflects the full breadth of our community's wisdom, concerns, and aspirations.
How We Teach Coordinators (4)
Amy Ratto Parks
Associate Director, Academic Assessment and Faculty Support
Jesse King
Professor of Marketing
Leif Fredrickson
Professor of History; Director of Public History Program
Jake Oetinger
Adjunct in Mathematics; Math Learning Center Coordinator
What We Teach Coordinators (6)
Michael Cassens
Professor of Media Arts
Natalie Bond
Faculty Librarian
Longhui Zou
Professor and Translation Technology in DCLCP
David Firth
Professor of Management Information Systems
Caitlin Byers
Student Support and Content Specialist, Montana Digital Academy
Angie Thompson
Experiential Learning and Career Success
How We Work Coordinators (6)
Zachary Rossmiller
Chief Information Officer
Claudine Cellier
Director of Internal Communications
Joshua Kornoff
UAS Operations Officer, Autonomous Aerial Systems Office
Kika Bradford
Research Associate, Tourism and Recreation Management
Zoe Phelan
Associate Director, Office of Organizational Development
Eli Bowe
Human Resource Services
Additional Coordinators (36)
Julie Cahill
Educational Initiatives and Innovation
Mike Agustinelli
Montana Digital Academy
Shara Tscheulin
Experiential Learning and Career Success
Mike Braun
Accelerate Montana
Paul Gladen
Accelerate Montana
Jason Neiffer
Montana Digital Academy
John Deboer
Office of the Provost
Tom Gallagher
Missoula College
Anna Conley
Law School (Faculty)
Marina Sonora
Missoula College
Jonathon Richter
Educational Initiatives and Innovation
Erik Guzik
Management (Faculty)
Justin Angle
Marketing (Faculty)
Paul Kirgis
Law School (Faculty)
Lauren Fern
Math (Faculty)
Cecilia Saez
Philosophy (Faculty)
Saxon Holbrook
Broadcast Media Center
Áine Humphreys
English (Graduate Student)
Mark Grimes
DBS (Faculty)
Elizabeth Dove
Art and Accelerate Montana (Faculty)
Paul Kozlowitz
Montana Digital Academy
Karli Cotton
Library (Faculty)
Johan Eriksson
Music (Faculty)
Catalina de Onis
Undergraduate Research
Cory Palmer
Math
Samantha Alario
Research and Development
Elise M. Barrie
UM Housing
Kit Edington
Information Technology
Bernadette Sweeney
Theater (Faculty)
Brian Chaszar
Curry Health Center
Luke Alford
Advising
Alex Lawson
People and Culture
Tanna Kincaid
UMOnline
Trail Bundy
UM Dining
Michael McInenly
Geosciences (Faculty)
Chris Gomez Patalano
Equal Opportunity
Industry Demands Coordinators
Industry partners to be announced pending formal agreements
Why This Matters
Strategic Significance for UM and Montana
For Our Students
Ensures academic programs evolve to prepare graduates with both AI competencies and essential human skills—critical thinking, adaptability, ethical reasoning—that employers increasingly demand.
For Our Faculty
Provides support in adapting teaching practices, identifying effective AI tools, and maintaining academic integrity while preserving the human dimensions of education.
For Our Staff
Explores ways to use AI to improve workflows and reduce administrative burden.
For Montana
Strengthens UM's role as a convener of statewide collaboration, creating a coordinated AI strategy that serves Montana's educational and economic needs.
Aligning Innovation with Mission
The Future Project represents more than technological adaptation—it's about ensuring that UM's response to AI aligns with our core mission of whole-person education, ethical leadership, and service to community. We're building a future where technology amplifies human potential rather than replacing it.
Questions About The Future Project?
Connect with the project team to learn more or get involved.