Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, write, and think—perhaps faster than any change in human history. For educators, this disruption brings both challenge and opportunity. As AI reshapes what “average” work looks like, it opens the door to raising academic standards and reaffirming the central values of liberal education. In this plenary, Bowen reframes AI literacy as a distinctly educational mission rooted in two staples of higher learning: asking sharper questions and critically evaluating answers. Reframing AI literacy in this way leads to a plethora of new assignments where educators can teach both writing and critical thinking while using AI in a way that raises standards rather than replacing human agency. Together, we will explore how faculty across disciplines can position themselves and their students as “AI bosses”—directing, interrogating, and refining AI output rather than passively accepting it. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for assignments and teaching strategies that embrace AI’s potential while reinforcing the habits of mind that define higher education: curiosity, reflection, creativity, and rigor.