Ethics Students Use AI to Strengthen Civil Discourse and Critical Thinking

Led by leadership instructor Kelly Clabaugh, the initiative responds to a growing concern: “Students are bombarded with poor examples of respectful discourse—whether on social media or in the news,” Clabaugh explains. “Echo chambers and algorithm-driven feeds make it harder to encounter differing viewpoints. SWAYbeta.ai helps students break out of that cycle by offering real-time, personalized feedback during discussions.”

 

SWAYbeta.ai is a chat-based platform that connects students with differing perspectives into one-on-one conversations. It facilitates more productive dialogue by guiding students with focused questions and providing feedback on how well they listen, respond, and engage respectfully. The tool is being used in tandem with the class’s current reading, I Never Thought of It That Way by Monica Guzmán, which encourages curiosity and understanding across divides.

 

This pairing gives students practice developing the skills needed to exclude bias as they evaluate arguments—a key skill emphasized in Gerstell’s definition of critical thinking.

Early results are promising. After a recent discussion, 72% of students strongly agreed with the statement: “My partner had better reasons for their views than I expected.” Reflections from students reveal the impact:

While students were initially unsure about using AI in the classroom, they quickly recognized its value. The tool’s ability to guide conversations away from repetitive loops and toward deeper understanding has made it a welcome addition.

 

Looking ahead, Clabaugh sees this as just the beginning. “These skills will serve our students well as we tackle challenging topics like abortion and capital punishment later in the year. More importantly, they’ll carry these communication skills into leadership roles beyond the classroom—where the ability to positively influence others is more vital than ever.”

By helping students balance Leadership Principles #5 and #6—to communicate with passion and persistence while remaining civil—this initiative is preparing Gerstell students to lead with clarity, empathy, and conviction.

 

Learn more about SWAYbeta.ai here:

https://youtu.be/oWlSi7nN8s4 : Watch a simulated discussion on the SWAY platform

https://youtu.be/fR1qlV4kzsM?si=P8yGKC8T925kFLae : 3 minute introduction video