Today’s Gen Z and Gen Y learners expect educational experiences that are interactive, personalized, and relevant. This session explores how artificial intelligence and gamification can be used to improve engagement, motivation, knowledge retention, and learner outcomes in higher education. Using Ollivate, a tool created by University of Detroit Mercy faculty, as a practical example, participants will examine how AI-supported tools can transform course content into active learning experiences through practice questions, spaced repetition, feedback, and game-based progression. The session will highlight practical strategies faculty and staff can use to support modern learners while maintaining academic rigor, ethical AI use, and alignment with measurable learning outcomes.

Learning Objectives: 1. Describe how artificial intelligence and gamification can support engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention among Gen Z and Gen Y learners. 2. Identify practical ways AI-supported tools can transform course content into active learning experiences that support measurable learner outcomes. 3. Evaluate opportunities and limitations of using AI-generated educational content while maintaining academic rigor, ethical use, and faculty oversight.

Presenter: Joshua Olson