Using AI as a Tool, Not a Shortcut: AI Integration in RST 460's Event Planning Process

In RST 460 (Event Management in Recreation, Sport & Tourism), students work with community partners to plan and facilitate events in the community. This fall, students in the Event Management course are using AI tools intentionally throughout their semester-long event planning process. For each component of students’ event plan, they are drafting that section with their group without the use of any technology, use an AI tool for feedback on their draft, critique the AI output for accuracy, bias, and fit with their specific attendees and event, and then revise the section (making specific note of how AI was used in that portion). The goal is not to have AI plan the events, but for students to develop their AI literacy alongside the human-centered creativity and judgment that event professionals need. My aim is to help the students become confident, but not dependent, users of AI in the event planning process. I will share how the assignments in the course are structured and the reasoning behind the design, and will also share some preliminary data about students’ experience with the AI integration into the event planning process: what they are finding useful, confusing, or surprising.