AI at the U Forum: Building Momentum Across Campus
The April 8 AI at the U Forum brought together faculty, staff, and students for a fast-moving, practical look at how artificial intelligence is taking shape across the University of Utah. From tools and guidelines to hands-on opportunities and community engagement, the message was clear: AI at the U is not just growing—it’s becoming more accessible, more intentional, and more integrated into everyday work and learning.
As Chief AI Officer Manish Parashar noted in his welcome, the university’s approach is both strategic and adaptive:
“We’re advancing AI across technologies, research and education, and operations—while continuously learning from our community. This is an evolving journey, and your feedback plays a critical role in shaping how we move forward together.”
Expanding Opportunities to Learn and Engage
The forum highlighted a growing ecosystem of AI programming designed to meet people where they are—whether they’re just getting started or already building advanced applications. Regular offerings like AI Office Hours, the AI Community of Practice, Tinker Lab sessions, and data drop-in hours continue to create low-barrier entry points for exploration and collaboration .
At the same time, larger events—like the upcoming Build with AI Codex Hackathon—are helping translate curiosity into real-world solutions, inviting participants from all disciplines and experience levels to experiment, build, and showcase ideas.
Tools You Can Use—Today
Campus AI tools continue to mature, with a focus on security, compliance, and usability. As highlighted by University IT leadership, many tools are already approved and available, offering a strong starting point for those new to AI while supporting more advanced use cases across campus.
Policy & Responsible Use
A reminder was shared about responsible use of all AI tools at the University:
- Do not use sensitive or restricted data, including student records or PHI
- Review university data policies and AI guidance
- Reach out through Office Hours or the AI Support Form for case‑specific help
University of Utah Health AI Technologies
In health settings, guidance remains clear: AI can support drafting and knowledge work, but core clinical systems—like Epic—remain the source of truth. This balance underscores a broader theme of the forum: AI is a powerful assistant, not a replacement for professional expertise.
Thoughtful Procedures and Responsible Use
A significant portion of the discussion focused on procedures and guidelines—particularly where AI intersects with teaching, learning, and research.
New guidance around AI in grading emphasizes:
- Faculty accountability and human oversight
- Student privacy and data protection
- Transparency and student rights
AI can assist with tasks like rubric-based feedback or identifying patterns in student work, but final grading decisions must always remain with instructors. Clear expectations—outlined in syllabi and supported by de-identification practices—are essential to maintaining trust and academic integrity .
The forum also addressed evolving library licensing considerations, noting that AI use with licensed content varies widely and requires careful attention to vendor agreements.
If you have questions about using artificial intelligence with materials acquired from library-licensed resources or databases, please contact the library’s collections team at mlib-collection_development@lists.utah.edu.
Clarifying AI Use in the Classroom
The introduction of AI Acceptable Use Scale templates by U of U's AI in Teaching and Learning Committee Co-Chairs Rob Macleod and Jeff Phillips, provides a shared framework for defining how AI can be used in coursework—from no use at all to full AI-supported workflows with human oversight.
Paired with a student-led resolution calling for clearer guidance, citation standards, and awareness of risks like bias and misinformation, these efforts signal a move toward greater clarity and consistency across the academic experience .
A Growing, Connected AI Community
If there was a unifying theme, it was this: AI at the University of Utah is a community effort. The forum showcased a campus-wide commitment to learning together, sharing practices, and building responsibly.
Whether you’re experimenting in the AI Tinker Lab, attending AI Office Hours, collaborating within the AI Community of Practice, or integrating AI into your teaching or research, there are more ways than ever to get involved.
Stay connected: Visit ai.utah.edu for upcoming events, resources, and ways to engage—and if you need support, the Office of Artificial Intelligence is just an email away. Contact: AISupport@utah.edu
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Register to attend the next AI Forum on Wednesday, June 3 at 12 PM.