AIDA March Update
Greetings from the AI Development Accelerator Initiative! Keep reading for the latest events, updates, and resources to help you navigate the evolving landscape of generative AI.
Events
AIDA has collaborated with University partners to create engaging events for faculty and staff this semester.
Staff Lift-Off Series
Session Spotlight: AI in the Workplace with AIDA
Wednesday, March 25 | Noon–1:30 pm | Howard Thurman Center and Zoom
Led by John Byers, AIDA executive director, and Matt Abrams, assistant vice president of payroll services at BU Financial Affairs, this live-streamed, hybrid workshop covers responsible, practical use of generative AI in administrative work—no prior experience needed. We’ll start with AIDA guidelines and a live TerrierGPT demo, paired with guided prompting exercises. This event is part of the BU Staff Advisory Council’s Lift-Off Series. Register now.
Writing in Higher Education
Tuesday, April 7 | 9 am–2 pm | CDS 1750
In partnership with the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, AIDA will be hosting a focused symposium where faculty explore the pedagogy of writing in higher education, including practical sessions on teaching the writing process both with and without AI. We will dive into the practical challenges and creative opportunities, highlighting how faculty are thoughtfully integrating—or intentionally working around—AI to ensure students continue to write, explain, and persuade with their own unique voices. Register now.
News
AIDA Hosts First Symposia and Workshops on the Medical Campus
Earlier this month, Boston University’s Artificial Intelligence Development Accelerator hosted its first symposia and workshops on the Medical Campus. Read the event recap.
In-Studio AI Jam Sessions
This semester, the Institute for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has hosted several In-Studio AI Jam Sessions on the Medical Campus. The most recent session brought together a dynamic group of four faculty, two graduate students, and a learning designer for a session defined by curiosity and collaboration. The next jam session will be Tuesday, April 7 on the Charles River Campus and Wednesday, April 15 on the Medical Campus. Learn more.
More News:
- On March 3, AIDA Executive Director John Byers met with members of The Humanities and Artificial Intelligence Lab (HAIL) for a lively discussion centered on the AI at BU certificate course and HAIL’s focus on the social, political and ethical questions raised by AI.
- On February 26, CGS hosted its Stanley Stone Distinguished Lecture with Professor Shannon Vallor, Baillie Gifford Chair in the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) at the University of Edinburgh. Vallor presented “The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking.”
- BU Wheelock is set to host its 2026 forum on AI and Education on March 25.
Resources
- Getting started with TerrierGPT
- Example assignments, videos, and more that incorporate GenAI
- Sample AI Usage Syllabi and Policies
- Frequently asked questions
The AI Development Accelerator for Academic and Administrative Excellence (AIDA) is a Boston University initiative dedicated to equipping Boston University faculty, staff, and students with the knowledge, tools, and critical frameworks to navigate the evolving landscape of generative AI. Through ethical exploration, creative experimentation, and real-world application, we empower our community to harness AI’s potential responsibly and innovatively.