Dr. Stephen Balfour, executive director of UGA Online, was recently featured as part of the Montclair State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences AI Distinguished Speaker Series.

Balfour presented “Designing AI for Learning, Not Convenience: A Vision and Early Progress Toward a Performance-Based Course Model,” a talk centered on how artificial intelligence can support student learning rather than simply automate educational tasks.

The presentation explored AI as a learning interface through which students demonstrate mastery of instructor-defined knowledge and skills, rather than using AI to replace instruction, automate grading, or bypass the learning process altogether.

Hosted by Montclair State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences in partnership with the College for Education and Engaged Learning, the speaker series examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping human systems, knowledge, and society, while highlighting the role of the humanities and social sciences in guiding its development and regulation.

Balfour’s presentation also touched on emerging approaches to performance-based learning and the evolving role of AI in higher education.

As executive director of UGA Online, Balfour provides strategic leadership for online learning initiatives at the University of Georgia and works closely with colleges and programs across the institution on instructional design, marketing, media production, and online program development.