OSU Libraries professor publishes edited volume about AI’s role in Open Educational Resources

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Media Contact: Jade Dudley | Library Communication Services Manager | 405-744-7331 | jade.dudley@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University associate professor Kathy Essmiller has published an edited volume titled “Voices of the Future: A Generative A.I. and Open Educational Resources Anthology.”

Dr. Essmiller emphasizes that its purpose is to establish and provoke varied dialogue regarding policy formation of generative AI in education. Throughout its 11 chapters, the book explores concerns regarding Open Educational Resources and generative artificial intelligence.

The volume addresses several key issues about AI, including how generative AI is used as a tool within education without policy reformation in place. It also highlights the perspective of how generative AI is unique as an emerging technology, specifically how environmental, reliability and safety concerns are consistent with most types of incoming technology, but not with most AI technologies.

Essmiller mentions that AI’s expansion has rendered attempts at policy formation to be difficult. AI can quickly outgrow its strategic enclosures as it progresses. Essmiller emphasizes that policy formation requires strong scaffolding to support AI development, providing sample studies of such policy scaffolding that possibly could be implemented for OER resources.

"Open Educational Resources are research, teaching and learning materials that have been intentionally created and licensed for downstream use, modification, distribution and the intent is for it to be at no additional cost to the end user," Essmiller said.

The volume contains several case studies that contribute to AI and OER discourse. Contributions from humanities, ethics, library science and more are a centerpiece to the volume’s main theme, maintaining human collaboration in the face of emerging technologies.

"It was wonderful. It's always a joy to have the opportunity to come together with other people and celebrate their work,” Essmiller said.

"Voices of the Future" is available to all seeking further educational scholarships and AI discourse. To access the volume, visit here.