Implementing AI Course Assistants: A Rapid Design Case from Concept to Full Rollout at Los Angeles Pacific University

Abstract

The rapid emergence of generative AI created both uncertainty and opportunity in higher education. This design case describes how Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU), a fully online, student-centered institution, implemented Spark, an AI course assistant, across all courses within four weeks. Guided by Gabriel’s Behavioral Engineering Model and an agile design mindset, the Digital Learning Solutions team made intentional design choices, including shaping Spark’s interactions through the Socratic method, involving faculty as co-designers, and constraining knowledge access to maintain academic integrity. In early pilots, Spark acted as a “thinking partner,” supporting student engagement, critical thinking, and motivation. The accelerated rollout required standardized prompts, curated course content, and scalable workflows, while faculty and student feedback informed iterative refinements.