September 2, 2026 By Allison Hosier, Head of Information Literacy Department and Subject Librarian for Sociology Since the advent of ChatGPT in 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has been impacting our relationship with information in a variety of ways. It’s important for students to learn to think critically about AI as they navigate its possible role in their own research and learning. AI Plus at the University at Albany In 2024, the SUNY Board of Trustees acknowledged the impact of AI with a revision to the SUNY General Education Framework’s information literacy competency. This competency, which is related to how students find, evaluate, and use information as part of their research activities, now includes an explicit reference to emerging technologies and the ethical dimensions they introduce to the process of using, creating, and disseminating information. AI is highlighted as an example. SUNY General Education Framework (SUNY GE) Effective Fall 2026, SUNY updated Information Literacy Core Competencies to address emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. Read the revised guidelines Paying attention to the ways in which technology—including the internet, social media, and more—can impact our relationship with information has always been central to information literacy teaching and learning. The revised competency surfaces this connection and locates AI literacy as an important component of information literacy without replacing information literacy itself. The revision also leaves the door open to future technologies which may not yet be available.Librarians at the University at Albany teach information literacy in a variety of ways, including through course-related instruction sessions and educational guides, modules, and other online materials. This new requirement, which goes into effect this fall, will require us to think creatively about how to help students learn to demonstrate the kind of critical thinking about AI represented by the revised competency. We are already providing a number of materials to help with this project. Generative AI and Academic Integrity One of the biggest questions around generative AI in higher education is about the relationship between the use of tools like ChatGPT and academic integrity. Basically, is using generative AI a form of cheating?The resources and information in this guide will help you think about what academic integrity is for and the role generative AI plays in its practice or violation. Explore the Generative AI and Academic Integrity Libguide Generative AI and Research When it comes to a research project, it can be hard to know where to start and easy to get stuck along the way. There is nothing worse than staring at a blank page or an empty search box or an overwhelming list of results and not knowing what to do next.You should know that this is a totally normal part of the research process, for both new and experienced researchers alike. There is nothing wrong with needing a little help.That help can take many forms, including generative AI.While there are many good reasons to be cautious about generative AI tools like ChatGPT, this technology can also be used to help you navigate those inevitable stuck points and get past them faster without violating academic integrity.This guide will show you how. Learn some of the different ways that generative AI tools can be used as part of the academic research process Dean's Message: Summer 2026 Dean's Message: Summer 2026