AIDA November Update for Faculty and Staff

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Events, New Workshops, and More

The AI Development Accelerator for Academic and Administrative Excellence (AIDA) is a Boston University initiative empowering faculty, staff, and students to navigate and shape the future of generative AI (GenAI). Through ethical exploration, creative experimentation, and real-world application, AIDA provides the tools, knowledge, and community to use AI responsibly and effectively.

In this newsletter, you’ll find the latest events, news, and resources designed to enhance the BU community’s knowledge of GenAI and how it connects to their teaching, learning, and workplaces.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Faculty Workshops

The AI Development Accelerator (AIDA), in collaboration with the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, is facilitating a series of AI In-Studio Workshops. The first workshop, Introduction to Generative AI in the BU Teaching Context, will focus on the ethical and critical use of GenAI for teaching and learning, and will include an interactive demonstration of TerrierGPT. These workshops are designed to give faculty space to discuss and learn about the role of AI in teaching. Participants will also have a chance to explore the new AI at BU Student Certificate course.

Register Now:

We are also in the planning phase of a second AI In-Studio workshop for staff and administration, with a target launch date of January 2026.

New AI at BU Student Certificate

The AI Development Accelerator (AIDA), in collaboration with the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, is launching the AI at BU Student Certificate—a 4-hour, self-paced, and fully online course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of AI and its responsible, ethical, and effective use in academic and professional settings. When students complete the course, they’ll earn a BU-issued AI Certificate—a digital credential they can share on LinkedIn or with employers to demonstrate their AI literacy and readiness to innovate in a technology-driven world.

The course provides students with a shared foundation in AI literacy, covering topics like:

  • Understanding what GenAI is and how it works
  • Exploring responsible and ethical use in academic contexts
  • Evaluating the strengths and limitations of AI tools
  • Understanding and navigating AI policies at BU
  • Applying GenAI thoughtfully to enhance learning, communication, and creativity
EVENTS

Upcoming AIDA Symposiums

In partnership with the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, AIDA hosts symposiums throughout each semester to showcase how BU faculty are using GenAI to enhance teaching and learning across disciplines. Each session is designed with a primary audience in mind—humanities and social sciences faculty, STEM faculty, business/education/communication faculty, or faculty across disciplines for the policy session—and will conclude with a 30-minute networking session with refreshments. All sessions take place from 4-6 pm in CDS 1101.

Register Now — Limited Spots Available:

Looking ahead to spring 2026, we are planning to expand our symposium series to include sessions dedicated to staff and administration, as well as branching out to the Medical Campus.

NEWS

John Byers Appointed Executive Director of AIDA

A photo of John Byers.

As Ken Lutchen has now transitioned into the role of vice president and associate provost in the Office of Research, we’re proud to announce that John Byers, who has been serving as the AIDA Co-Director for AI in Academics, is now the Executive Director. As a professor of computer science in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and a former senior associate dean of the faculty for mathematical and computational sciences with over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, John brings a wealth of expertise to the team — and a vision that will catalyze the development, adoption, and governance of artificial intelligence at Boston University.

AIDA Gathers Faculty From Across the University to Discuss Effective Artificial Intelligence Policies

On Wednesday, October 1, around 60 faculty gathered on the 17th floor of the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences for an AIDA panel discussion about effective artificial intelligence policies across the University. Kevin Gold, associate professor of the practice in the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, then moderated the panel which consisted of Michael Dowding, master lecturer in the College of Communication; Andy Fan, senior lecturer in the College of Engineering; David Shawn, master lecturer in the College of Arts & Sciences; and Tal Gross, professor in the Questrom School of Business.

Shipley Academic Innovation Awards: Accepting Applications until November 21

The Shipley Center, which is part of the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, is now accepting proposals for enhancing curricula through creative applications of Generative AI (GenAI). We are seeking innovative ideas that explore new ways of teaching, learning, and assessment using GenAI tools and approaches.

Deadline extended! Apply by Friday, November 21.

RESOURCES

Please see below for updated resources that will empower your experience with genAI.

  • TerrierGPT: We continue to update TerrierGPT to provide you with the best experience possible. In addition to the chat feature, you can also now use the TerrierGPT assistant — available from the models drop-down under “Agents” once you log in. It’s an AI chatbot designed to answer your questions about TerrierGPT and AI resources at BU more broadly.
  • New Classroom Resources: Looking for examples of how faculty at BU are using genAI in their classes? Our website now offers discipline-specific example assignments, videos, and more.
  • Updated FAQ page: Our FAQ now covers a broad range of topics — from sustainability questions to BU’s investment and more.
MORE AI NEWS AROUND BU

 

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