There's a growing gap between how students actually work and how prepared faculty are to teach in that reality. Closing it isn't optional anymore — it's a basic requirement for staying relevant in the room.
The gap is already visible
Students are using AI for research, writing, and problem-solving whether or not it's officially sanctioned. Faculty who haven't used these tools themselves can't meaningfully guide how students should.
Untrained faculty default to blanket bans
Bans that aren't grounded in real understanding of the tools tend to be either unenforceable or counterproductive — driving AI use underground instead of teaching responsible use.
Training pays for itself in time saved
Faculty who learn AI-assisted workflows for grading, planning, and admin recover hours per week — time that goes back into actual teaching and mentorship.
This is an institutional responsibility, not an individual one
Expecting faculty to self-teach AI literacy on top of an already full workload is unrealistic. Structured, practical training — not a one-off seminar — is what actually changes classroom practice.