Generative AI is already embedded in higher education. A recent survey found that 95% of students and faculty are using AI in educational contexts, while only a minority of institutions have formal policies guiding that use.

At the same time, many campuses are working to strengthen students’ ability to engage constructively across difference—an area where practice opportunities and structured support are often limited.

This white paper examines how these trends intersect.

What the Research Shows

Rather than treating AI as a single tool, the report identifies three distinct roles it can play in dialogue education:

• AI as Coach — supports skill development through structured practice and feedback
• AI as Mediator — facilitates conversations across difference
• AI as Conversation Partner — simulates disagreement on demand

Each role offers distinct opportunities—and introduces different risks.

The evidence points to a consistent pattern:

The more structured and pedagogically constrained the role of AI, the stronger the evidence for its effectiveness—and the more manageable the risks.

What This White Paper Explores

• When AI supports dialogue skill development—and when it does not
• The three roles AI can play in dialogue education
• The risks associated with each approach
• What higher education leaders should consider next

The question is no longer whether students will use AI—but how institutions will shape its role in learning.

Download the white paper to explore the evidence and implications for higher education.