Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools are rapidly being adopted in undergraduate computer science (CS) education, fundamentally changing how students approach introductory programming. Moreover, GenAI tools can now easily solve most problems at this level. As more students rely on these tools, educators have raised concerns that overreliance and inappropriate use may hinder student development. More broadly, widespread access to GenAI requires rethinking what students should learn, how they learn it, and how learning should be assessed. Of particular interest is how students can develop programming problem-solving skills while using GenAI responsibly. Programming problem-solving is a foundational skill that enables students to translate problem statements into effective programs.

This Birds of a Feather session invites instructors and researchers to come together to discuss how GenAI is reshaping programming problem-solving in introductory computer science. After a brief overview of existing perspectives, participants will contribute ideas to open questions through a collaborative activity before joining small-group discussions. Discussions will explore topics such as problem-solving steps, learning objectives, assignment structures, and assessment methods in introductory-sequence computer science courses.

The goal of the session is not to identify a single solution, but to surface diverse experiences, identify common challenges, and build connections among educators navigating similar questions across institutions and contexts. Participants will leave with new perspectives, practical ideas to explore in their own courses, and connections with colleagues who share similar interests in preparing students to become effective problem solvers in the age of AI.