What is
AI Course Builder
An AI course builder is a digital tool that uses artificial intelligence to help instructors rapidly create, revise and enhance learning materials such as syllabi, assessments, assignments and lecture content. By analyzing learning objectives, disciplinary context and best-practice pedagogy, AI course builders generate structured course components that instructors can edit, personalize and refine. Research highlights the efficiency of these tools: a 2023 EDUCAUSE survey found that 51% of faculty using AI for course design reported significant time savings, while 38% said AI improved the quality and clarity of their instructional materials (EDUCAUSE Horizon Action Plan: AI in Higher Education, 2023).
Why AI course builders matter in higher education
AI course builders reduce the administrative burden of course design, allowing instructors to focus more on teaching, student interaction and meaningful assessment. They help faculty translate broad learning outcomes into fully formed activities, explanations and resources—supporting consistency across courses and improving alignment between instructional goals and materials.
AI researcher Andrew Ng has noted, “AI is the new electricity—it will transform every industry.” In higher education, AI course builders represent one of the most immediate and practical applications of this transformation, streamlining the instructional design process while expanding creative possibilities for faculty.
For more pedagogical support, explore Top Hat’s guide to Using AI for Personalized Learning.
Key characteristics of AI course builders
AI course builders typically include:
Automated content generation: Drafts of modules, summaries, quizzes, or assignments based on instructor prompts or existing materials.
Alignment with learning outcomes: AI tools help ensure that activities directly support stated objectives.
Iterative refinement: Instructors can regenerate or edit AI-generated content to improve accuracy or disciplinary alignment.
Adaptive recommendations: Some tools suggest teaching strategies, engagement techniques or assessment formats based on course goals.
Multimedia integration: Capability to incorporate interactive elements, simulations or varied content types.
Examples of how AI course builders are used in higher education
Drafting course modules: AI produces structured weekly modules with readings, outcomes and activities.
Generating assessment items: Instructors request quiz questions, case studies or scenario-based prompts aligned to the unit.
Creating rubrics: AI translates evaluation criteria into detailed, student-friendly rubrics.
Converting lecture notes into activities: AI transforms raw notes into discussion prompts, polls or interactive exercises.
Adapting content for different modalities: AI restructures materials for online, hybrid or accelerated course formats.
These applications help maintain course quality and consistency, particularly in programs with multiple sections or adjunct faculty.
Benefits of AI course builders in teaching and learning
AI course builders can:
-Reduce prep time and repetitive administrative work
-Enhance course alignment and clarity
-Increase variety in activities and assessments
-Support accessibility through automatically formatted materials
-Encourage more innovation and experimentation in teaching
-Improve student engagement through richer, more interactive learning design
How Top Hat acts as an AI course builder
Top Hat Ace, the platform’s AI-powered assistant, helps instructors build their curriculum faster based on the context of their course material. Ace helps instructors take their content—slides, syllabi and lecture notes—and makes these materials more accessible, interactive and personalized. The AI-powered assistant also helps educators generate assessment questions from uploaded course content. By automating repetitive tasks and offering evidence-based suggestions for assessments and engagement strategies, Top Hat Ace frees educators to focus on what matters most: meaningful instruction, student feedback and deeper learning.