Beyond AI Police: How Generative AI Is Transforming Education in the Field of Leisure and Recreation

The goal of this essay is to examine the opportunities and concerns related to gen-AI in leisure education and to provide recommendations on how to foster learning in the gen-AI era. We discuss the benefits of gen-AI use in leisure education, such as revolutionizing teaching methodologies and student learning experiences. We also highlight concerns, including the erosion of critical thinking and learning skills, the need to redesign assessments, equity in access, and academic integrity violations. We then provide suggestions on how to foster learning in the gen-AI era, such as the need to understand the technical aspects of gen-AI, including biases inherent in it, use gen-AI in an ethical manner, rethink the content of courses and identify the core competencies students need to master, and identify and foster skills essential in the gen-AI- infused workforce. Finally, we offer suggestions on how to assess mastery of these skills and competencies.