Exploring AI and its potential

The [work in] Progress series shares our preliminary findings on the impact of artificial intelligence in higher education to help the field move at the pace of technology.

May 21, 2026

Designing AI study tools students actually use and actually benefit from

We built an AI study tool on learning science: immediate feedback, adaptive depth, spaced repetition, retrieval practice. Then we studied whether those foundations held in a real, high-stakes nursing course. Our pilot surfaced five design principles for anyone building AI study tools.

July 9, 2025

Automating student need evaluation to provide personalized tutoring

Learn how to automate student need evaluation and provide scalable, personalized tutoring through WGU Labs' Four Dimensions Framework.

May 7, 2025

When Life Gets in the Way: Understanding and Addressing Dropout Risks for Adult Learners

We evaluated students' emotional states during key touchpoints in their learning journeys to better understand the issue of persistence among adult learners.

April 23, 2025

Behind the Scenes: Insights From the WGU Labs Multi-Agent AI System Hackathon

Insights from a WGU Labs AI hackathon exploring multi-agent systems, personalization, and innovation in higher ed

April 16, 2025

Three ways students use AI in their learning — and why it matters for education leaders

Students are already using AI — with or without institutional support. To set students up for success, institutions should provide AI guidance and support.

March 20, 2025

Understanding Belonging for Online Learners | Research Brief

Learn how a personalized belonging intervention — revised to address the experiences of online learners — impacted students’ academic success.

January 28, 2025

The impact of an AI-assisted learning tool on student outcomes | Research Brief

Discover insights on the strengths and limitations of current AI applications in educational settings based on our research with WGU students.

January 21, 2025

How first-time, first-term WGU students experience belonging at COIT | Research Brief

Discover the initial results from our social belonging intervention for under-served students in an online setting.

October 30, 2024

Creating Custom GPTs to Simulate Authentic Role-Play Activities for Learning, Feedback, and Assessment

Learn how to integrate AI into formative assessments to make learning more accessible, effective, and aligned with real-world demands.

August 14, 2024

Balancing Innovation and Efficacy in Generative AI Exploration

Discover early findings from our Solutions Lab pilots testing the impact of AI in higher education.