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UCLA offers comp lit course developed by AI
In winter 2025, a comparative literature class at UCLA will feature a textbook, homework assignments, and TA resources generated by AI.
The class in question is a survey of literature from the Middle Ages to the 17th century, while the materials are generated by Kudu — an “evolved” textbook platform founded by Alexander Kusenko, a professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA. The university says this will be the first class in its humanities division with materials developed by Kudu.
To create those materials, Professor Zrinka Stahuljak provided Kudu with notes, PowerPoint presentations, and YouTube videos from her previous versions of the class. The course creation process can take three to four months, but UCLA says the time commitment for professors should be limited to 20 hours (and Kudu compensates them for their time).
Stahuljak said that this approach should free up time for her and her TAs to work more closely with students and also ensure more consistent delivery of course materials. Students can also ask Kudu questions about the material, with its answers drawn only from the material the professor provides, rather than the internet at large.