These sixty minute, weekly sessions – facilitated by Technologists and Pedagogy Experts from the CTLT – are designed for faculty and staff at UBC who are using, or thinking about using, Generative AI tools as part of their teaching, researching, or daily work. Each week we discuss the news of the week, highlight a specific tool for use within teaching and learning, and then hold a question and answer session for attendees.

They run on Zoom every Wednesday from 1pm – 2pm and you can register for upcoming events on the CTLT Events Website.

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News of the Week

Each week we discuss several new items that happened in the Generative AI space over the past 7 days. There’s usually a flood of new AI-adjacent news every week – as this industry is moving so fast – so we highlight news articles which are relevant to the UBC community.

This week, we delved into various advancements and initiatives in the AI and technology landscape, including significant updates from Apple and new initiatives at the University of British Columbia. Below are some key updates reflecting these themes.

Here’s this week’s news:

Apple News

Apple AI Comparison with Competitors
Apple has released research comparing its AI models with those of other major companies, highlighting competitive performance in various benchmarks. The comparison underscores Apple’s commitment to advancing its AI capabilities in line with industry leaders. Read more.

Private Cloud Compute
Apple has introduced a new private cloud computing solution designed to enhance security and privacy for users. This service aims to protect sensitive data while offering robust cloud capabilities. Read more.

Apple Foundation Models
Apple has unveiled its Foundation Models, which form the backbone of its AI research and development. These models are integral to Apple’s strategy to integrate AI seamlessly across its product lineup. Read more.

Prompting Guide for Creating Images with GenAI Tools

Airtable Guide for GenAI
A new guide has been released on Airtable for creating images using Generative AI tools. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions to help users effectively utilize these advanced technologies. Read more.

Audio Creation

Stable Audio Open Released
Stability AI has launched Stable Audio Open, a tool for generating high-quality audio using AI. This release aims to democratize access to AI-powered audio creation tools. Read more.

Misuse of AI Music Generators
There are growing concerns about the misuse of AI music generators to create hateful content. This issue highlights the need for ethical guidelines and oversight in the use of AI for creative purposes. Read more.

Elephants Can Talk

Elephants Communicate with Names
Recent research has revealed that elephants use unique vocalizations, akin to names, to address each other. This discovery provides new insights into the complex social structures and communication methods of these animals. Read more.

Bias in LLM Personas

Exploring Bias in Large Language Models
A new study has examined the biases present in large language models (LLMs), focusing on how these biases can impact the personas created by these AI systems. The findings call for improved methods to mitigate bias in AI. Read more.

“Easy” Fine-tune of Mistral Models

Fine-Tuning Mistral Models
A GitHub repository has been introduced, allowing users to easily fine-tune Mistral models for their specific needs. This tool enables customization and optimization of AI models for a variety of applications. Read more.

Large TLEF Special Call at UBC

Generative AI Collaborative Cluster Grants
The University of British Columbia has announced a special call for grants aimed at supporting collaborative research projects in generative AI. This initiative is part of UBC’s commitment to advancing AI research and education. Read more.

Upcoming CTLT Events

Chatbots in Teaching and Learning
An upcoming event at UBC will explore the use of chatbots in educational settings, focusing on how these tools can enhance teaching and learning experiences. Read more.

Generative AI Analysis in Education
Another UBC event will discuss the insights gained from using generative AI to analyze teaching and learning processes, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges. Read more.

Educause Event

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
Educause is hosting a discussion on the role of AI in higher education, covering the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities for integrating AI technologies into academic environments. Read more.

Google’s NotebookLM for Education

Multi-Modal Study Guide Demo
Google has demonstrated its NotebookLM, a multi-modal study guide designed to enhance learning through integrated AI tools. This demo showcases how AI can support educational outcomes. Watch the demo.

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Feature of the Week

Feature of the Week: Large TLEF Special Call at UBC

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has launched a special call for grants under its Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) to support innovative research projects in generative AI. This initiative aims to foster collaboration among researchers and educators to explore how AI can be used to enhance teaching and learning experiences across various disciplines.

Researchers and educators at UBC are encouraged to apply for these grants, which provide financial support for projects that integrate generative AI into educational settings. These projects can range from developing AI-powered tutoring systems to creating tools for personalized learning experiences and using AI to analyze and improve teaching methods.

This special call is part of UBC’s broader commitment to advancing AI research and education, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration to leverage AI technologies to address educational challenges and improve learning outcomes. For more information, explore the Large TLEF Special Call at UBC.

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Questions and Answers

Each studio ends with a question and answer session whereby attendees can ask questions of the pedagogy experts and technologists who facilitate the sessions. We have published a full FAQ section on this site. If you have other questions about GenAI usage, please get in touch.