• Student Assistant and Instructor Assistant are now available across more than 800 Higher Education products, bringing trusted, course-based AI to more courses and learners
• New AI-powered learning activities and AI literacy resources help students build essential AI skills and career readiness through authentic practice
• Integrated learning, coaching, and assessment features strengthen student understanding while providing instructors with actionable insights into learning and progress

BOSTON: #AI--Cengage, a global edtech company, today announced new capabilities across its Higher Education learning platforms that strengthen student outcomes and support instructors and institutions. These enhancements continue the evolution of Cengage's Higher Education learning platforms, bringing together AI-powered coaching, authentic learning experiences, and instructor insights into one connected learning experience built on trusted content and proven pedagogy.

"The future of work will be shaped by AI, but success in the workplace will continue to depend on essential human skills like critical thinking, communication, sound judgment, and problem-solving," said Darren Person, Chief Product & Digital Officer at Cengage. "Higher education has an opportunity to develop those skills alongside AI literacy, not treat them as competing priorities. That's the philosophy behind our learning platforms. We're helping educators use AI to strengthen learning, foster independent thinking, and prepare students for success in an increasingly AI-enabled world."

The need for that approach is becoming increasingly clear. According to Cengage's 2026 Instructor Employability Research, 58% of instructors believe today's graduates are less prepared for work than students a decade ago, with faculty citing declines in critical thinking, communication, and resilience. At the same time, 70% say increased dependence on AI and technology is contributing to declining workforce preparedness, while more than half believe students need greater instruction on how to use AI responsibly and effectively. Rather than replacing learning with AI, Cengage is expanding integrated AI capabilities that help students develop the skills instructors say matter most.

Bringing together Student Assistant, Instructor Assistant, and new AI-enabled capabilities within MindTap®, the integrated experience supports students from first exposure to new concepts through skills practice and assessment. Rather than replacing instruction, these capabilities deepen learning through personalized coaching, authentic practice, and meaningful instructor insight.

This fall, Student Assistant and Instructor Assistant will be available across more than 800 Higher Education products, expanding access to trusted, course-based AI that supports both student learning and instructor success.

Student Assistant helps students build understanding by providing contextual coaching grounded in Cengage content and proven pedagogy rather than simply generating answers. Student Assistant encourages confidence, persistence, and independent learning. Students who struggle early in a course and begin using Student Assistant are 90% more likely to continue submitting assignments through the end of the term.

Instructor Assistant complements that support by giving faculty deeper visibility into where students are struggling and why. Through actionable insights into student learning, instructors can intervene earlier, personalize support, and create a continuous feedback loop between student progress and instruction.

MindTap helps students apply what they've learned through authentic, AI-enabled experiences that build real-world skills. Through discipline-specific scenarios, video-based assignments, and AI-powered feedback, students practice communication, critical thinking, professionalism, and responsible AI use in realistic contexts while building confidence over time. Instructors benefit from scalable, authentic assessments with AI-assisted grading and feedback that provide greater insight into how students think, communicate, and apply course concepts.

Within MindTap, the AI Primer: Using AI in Business Education serves as a flagship example of Cengage's integrated approach, introducing foundational AI literacy before students apply those concepts through authentic learning experiences supported by ongoing coaching. Cengage is also integrating AI literacy resources across several additional disciplines, including computing, math, and English.

The latest enhancements across Cengage's Higher Education learning platforms bring together Student Assistant, Instructor Assistant, and new AI-enabled activities within MindTap to create a connected learning experience that spans coaching, authentic practice, assessment, and instructor insight. Students build confidence and career-ready skills, instructors gain actionable insights, and institutions benefit from a more connected approach to teaching, learning, and student success.

"AI shouldn't replace the learning process; it should make it more meaningful," said Courtney Pham, Marketing Professor, Missouri State University. "Having better insight into where students need support helps me intervene earlier and spend more time teaching. And because students are using AI to think through concepts rather than simply generate answers, they're building the critical thinking, communication, and confidence they'll need long after they leave the classroom."

"The future of higher education won't be defined by how much AI is introduced into the classroom; it will be defined by how intentionally it's used to improve learning," Person added. "Our goal is to help educators create learning experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and career readiness while ensuring AI enhances, rather than replaces, meaningful human learning."

As higher education enters its next phase of AI adoption, Cengage continues to evolve its learning platforms with integrated AI capabilities that strengthen learning, support educators, and help prepare students for success in an increasingly AI-enabled world. For more information about how Cengage is building connected learning experiences, visit www.cengage.com.

About Cengage

Cengage, a global edtech company, supports learners, educators, and institutions across more than 100 countries. With products serving nearly 16 million digital users across the Higher Education, School, Work, and English Language Learning markets, we've built a learning ecosystem that connects education to employment. We combine trusted content, AI-powered insights, and scalable digital platforms to power learning for every future and drive meaningful outcomes at every stage of the learning journey. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn or X.

Fonte: Business Wire