We are committed to an AI that emphasizes responsible and innovative use of this technology, with a mission to harness its transformative power responsibly and innovatively, enhancing both academic and operational aspects of the university leveraging these key aspects:

Transdisciplinary Approach: uOttawa is committed to a transdisciplinary approach that integrates knowledge from various fields to address societal needs. This includes leveraging AI to advance methods and tools while collaborating with community, government, and industry partners.

Strategic Alignment: Aligning AI initiatives with uOttawa’s strategic objectives to support academic, research, and administrative stakeholders in achieving their objectives.

Ethical and Responsible AI: The University focuses on understanding and framing the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI technologies. This involves developing guidelines for secure, ethical, and appropriate use of AI.

Innovation and Efficiency: AI is seen as a tool to streamline academic and administrative operations and enhance the student experience. The university aims to align AI initiatives with its strategic objectives to build the university of tomorrow.

Security and Privacy: Ensuring the security, safety, and privacy of AI implementations is a priority. uOttawa has developed guidelines for the responsible use of data and AI technologies.

Community Engagement: The University actively involves various stakeholders in AI-related projects, ensuring a consolidation of viewpoints through expert voices. This includes creating an AI advisory committee to coordinate efforts and share best practices.

The University offers several AI tools to enhance research, teaching, and administrative processes. Here are some of the main AI resources currently available:

Microsoft Copilot: This generative AI tool assists the university community with various tasks such as creating lesson plans, drafting emails, generating images and much more.

AI + Society Initiative: This initiative focuses on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI technologies. It provides resources and guidelines for responsible AI use.

Generative AI Guide: Created by the uOttawa Library, this guide offers detailed resources on the responsible use of generative AI, including popular tools, usage tips, and guidelines for citing these technologies.

AI-Driven Data Management Tools: These tools help in collecting, storing, and utilizing high-quality data for administrative decisions, ensuring effective data governance and compliance.

HR Chatbot: An AI-powered chatbot that assists with HR-related queries and recruitment support. (Internal use only).

Health & Wellness:  an AI-powered Health and Wellness chatbot to support students, faculty, and staff.

Securing AI in the University involves several best practices to help ensure that AI is used responsibly and securely in academic settings:

Safety and Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough security and privacy risk assessments for AI systems. This includes evaluating potential risks to human life, health, property, and the environment.

Fairness and Bias Detection: Implement mechanisms to detect and mitigate biases in AI systems. Ensure fairness in AI applications to avoid discrimination.

Privacy Protection: Adhere to privacy obligations under Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Ensure personal information is collected, used, and disclosed responsibly.

Transparency and Accountability: Maintain transparency in AI usage. Regularly review and update guidelines to reflect the evolving nature of AI technologies.

Ethical Considerations: Evaluate the ethical implications of AI systems, especially those that could affect safety, fundamental rights, or introduce significant ethical issues.

Use Approved Platforms: Prefer using University-approved AI platforms and minimize the creation of accounts on non-approved platforms.