Artificial Intelligence Open Educational Resources Creation
In 2022, Hillsborough College launched its Zero Textbook Cost initiative to expand faculty adoption and creation of open educational resources (OER). While faculty embraced the effort, traditional OER development required one to two years, limiting participation. In 2024-2025, the college launched the AI OER Creation Program, providing ChatGPT Team accounts, stipends, and structured support to reduce barriers. Each textbook meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards, ensuring full accessibility. The first AI-developed text, Introduction to Financial Technology, filled a critical curricular gap. The program now supports Zero Textbook Cost degree pathways and certificates. The AI OER Creation Program was creative and significantly improved efficiency by reducing textbook development timelines from one to two years to as little as six months while maintaining academic quality. By leveraging generative AI, structured support, and stipends, the program removed longstanding barriers to faculty participation while maintaining, and possibly increasing, quality and accessibility.
Innovators
- Deborah Barr, Associate Professor, Sociology
- Melissa Brooks, Instructor, Business
- Eric Fiske, Professor, Political Science
- Ilene Frank, Reference Librarian
- Kristin Heathcock, Dean, Associate of Science Programs, Brandon Campus
- Josh Hill, Instructional Designer II, Faculty Professional Development
- Lana Iapicco, Instructor, Communication
- Mo Kotaiche, Chair and Faculty, FinTech
- Zeinab Motawe, Instructor, Biology
- Andrew Seely, Instructor, Computer Science
- Carol Stallworth, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
- Shelley Stewart, Instructor, Computer Science
- Marie Louise Torres, Professor, Communication
