Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Program Design for Future Health Care Leaders: Faculty Insights from the Army-Baylor MHA/MBA Program

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into graduate level education presents both opportunities and challenges for academia. This study explored faculty perceptions of AI usage within the Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Health and Business Administration. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights to assess experiences with AI. Quantitative findings emphasize that fostering AI adoption among faculty hinges on both enhancing technology’s ease of use and addressing the obstacles that dampen its acceptance. Six themes emerged based on the qualitative free-text question responses provided by the faculty: faculty adoption of AI to enhance course-design efficiency and creativity; establishing clear AI usage policies to support academic integrity and student guidance; faculty concerns about the ethical, educational, and practical challenges of AI integration; enhancing teaching and learning through AI-driven personalization and efficiency; balancing the benefits and risks of AI in student competency development; and proactive integration of AI education to prepare students and empower faculty. Faculty acknowledged the need for continued professional development to effectively navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Overall, this study underscores the necessity of institutional support, ongoing faculty training, and education and awareness of AI tools and usage to maximize the benefits of AI, while mitigating risks. The findings offer valuable insights for military and civilian graduate education programs seeking to incorporate AI technologies into their curricula, ensuring that both faculty and students are equipped to leverage AI responsibly in the healthcare management education landscape.