Delivering value that improves the uOttawa experience
Here are a few ways AI is already improving the uOttawa experience.
AI‑powered chatbots
AI chatbots are expanding across University services to answer routine and common questions instantly. This reduces wait times, improves user satisfaction, and frees staff to focus on other high-value tasks.
- Human Resources chatbot: Provides quick answers on employment, benefits, and onboarding which helps faculty and staff navigate HR policies and questions more efficiently.
- Health and Wellness chatbot: Connects students with support services and answers common questions about mental health programs, even outside business hours.
- Research services chatbot (under development): Helps researchers and students find grant information, understand application steps, and access research tools.
- Admissions Chatbot (under development): Streamlines admissions requests from potential students and guides them through admission requirements.
Course planning
AI is improving course planning by streamlining workflows and using data to better predict student demand—supporting more responsive academic scheduling.
uoGenAI: a new generative AI platform
Launched in a pilot feedback phase in March 2026, uoGenAI lets employees and teams build AI assistants that streamline daily work. It supports a wide range of use cases while upholding the University’s commitment to privacy, responsible data handling, and strategic autonomy, as this platform is exclusively built on Canadian servers.
Copilot is coming
This spring, Microsoft 365 Copilot will roll out to a select group of users across campus. These licenses offer additional functionality compared to the free, web-based version. The limited rollout will help leadership assess AI adoption, benefits, risks, and alignment with University priorities. Copilot streamlines work in Microsoft apps with institutionally approved, secure AI which frees up time for higher-value tasks.
Investing in AI literacy and culture
AI Literacy Days took place on March 31 and April 1 in partnership with Microsoft, the Library, Teaching and Learning Support Services (TLSS), and the Professional Development Institute (PDI). The two-day event offered hands-on learning for students, faculty, researchers, and staff. To provide practical learning while building an AI-first mindset grounded in critical thinking, ethics, and practical skills.
AI literacy webpages offer a collection of resources, training, and practical guides designed to support the community in understanding and responsibly adopting AI across academic and professional settings.
Looking ahead
As uOttawa advances its strategic plan and priorities, AI will help support those endeavours. The University will continue growing AI literacy, strengthen ethical adoption, and scale approved tools so our community is well-equipped and empowered in moving towards AI-enabled learning, teaching and working environments.
“As we move forward, AI will play a central role in shaping uOttawa’s ongoing digital transformation. We are fostering an environment where our community is equipped to embrace innovation responsibly, productively, and confidently.”
Ilva Peci
— Director of Technology enablement