From Writing Coach to Aggie AI: Write, the Students Behind the Name Change

Students Joshua Hunsaker, Trey Nyman, and Quinton Marchant, took English 2020: Professional Communication with Lecturer Rosa Thornley last semester and have collaborated with English Department Lecturer Russ Winn to name the newly launch Aggie AI: Write app. 

In Rosa’s class, students had the assignment of identifying a problem they found within the USU community and proposing a solution. Josh said the group wanted to focus on generative AI: “We decided that because of the strict policies that many teachers have on the use of Large Language Models, it would be beneficial to have an Artificial Intelligence program that was run through the university so that each teacher could at least get a general sense of what the students were using AI for and also regulating how they could use it.” 

The students were interested in generative AI because of its expanded use in the professional world, but they were mindful of the ethical concerns surrounding AI as well. Quinton comments, “We came up with an AI program that would eliminate cheating problems and help students learn how to use it and be more prepared for the professional world.” Quinton suggested the name Aggie AI, and the group ran with it. 

The Center for Instructional Design and Innovation (CIDI) has been working with Russ for the past couple years in developing an AI supplementary tool for USU students. The original design was called Writing Coach. Rosa invited Russ to speak to the class about generative AI, and he had them beta test the app. 

Russ talked with Joshua, Trey, and Quinton about their design and how they could make it a reality, and their idea rebranded Writing Coach to Aggie AI, introducing the new umbrella term for the AI program at USU. The group has continued interest in AI, with Josh taking Russ’s class “AI and Writing” this semester, and Josh and Quinton exploring the idea of starting an AI club at USU. Quinton says, “I think learning about GAI is important because it's not going anywhere. It will be a relevant thing for a long time. Being skilled in using AI in a smart and correct way will be very important in the future in my opinion.” 

In addition to working with USUSA to start the club, Josh is interested in a career in AI. He shares, “I am actually now looking at going into Law School to become either an Intellectual Property or Policy Lawyer to work specifically with the regulation and use of AI in a larger capacity. I want to be able to help others understand the potential that it has to help them use it to better their lives.”