Information Technology is dedicated to advancing AI initiatives that align with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives. 

The approach ensures coherence across academic, research, and administrative domains, fostering a unified and forward-thinking AI strategy: 

• Strategic Alignment: AI initiatives are designed to align with uOttawa’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives, ensuring coherence across academic, research, and administrative domains.
• Governance Integration: AI governance is integrated into existing institutional structures, with the establishment of an AI advisory working group to coordinate efforts and share best practices.
• Adoption Approach: Prioritizes adopting existing AI solutions (“buy over build”) to accelerate implementation, while remaining open to developing custom solutions when necessary.
• Data Governance: Emphasis is placed on collecting and utilizing high-quality data, supported by robust data governance and compliance practices.

Ensuring the security and ethical deployment of AI systems is a top priority at uOttawa. Our comprehensive risk management and guiding principles help safeguard data and uphold privacy, while providing support structures for responsible AI use.

• Risk Management: AI systems are evaluated for potential risks, especially those affecting safety, rights, or ethical considerations, with high-risk systems subject to stringent assessments.
• Guiding Principles: Adhering to principles such as safety, fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, and reliability in the deployment of AI systems.
• Community Responsibilities: All university members are responsible for safeguarding data, avoiding the entry of sensitive information into AI tools, and ensuring compliance with privacy policies.
• Support Structures: Information Technology provides guidance and support for AI tool usage, including conducting security and privacy assessments for new AI implementations.

Information Technology is at the forefront of integrating AI tools to enhance productivity and address specific institutional needs. That includes leveraging existing solutions and developing custom AI-powered technologies to support the university community.

• Microsoft Copilot Integration: Leveraging existing Microsoft licenses, uOttawa has introduced Microsoft Copilot to the university community, enhancing productivity with AI capabilities.
• Custom AI Solutions: Developing its own AI-powered solutions to address specific institutional needs, aiming for greater control and customization.
• Cloud-Based AI Models: Plans are in place to develop and own AI models hosted on cloud platforms, providing scalable and secure AI services as the university’s capabilities mature.